Comparison of self-collected and clinician-collected materials for cervical cytology and human papillomavirus genotyping: analysis by linear array assay.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the usefulness of self-collected (SC) and clinician-collected (CC) materials for cervical cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping.

STUDY DESIGN: Fifty women with previous positive cytology and who were undergoing regular checkups were included in the study. CC samples were collected using a Cervex-Brush Combi with liquid-based cytology. One month later, SC material was acquired using the Rovers Viba-brush vaginal sampler, and fixed at home. Thin-layer specimens were prepared from both samples and HPV status was analyzed using a linear array.

RESULTS: A total of 37/50 CC (74%) and 41/50 SC (82%) cases were positive for HPV. Pap tests identified high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 11 (22%) and seven (14%) patients, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 19 (38%) and 16 (32%), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance in 2 (4%) and 0 patients, and NILM (negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy) in 18 (36%) and 27 (54%) patients in the CC and SC groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: SC material had a lower positive cytology rate, but a higher HPV-positive rate than CC material. These results suggest that a combination of Pap and HPV tests on SC material may provide a diagnostic strategy with high sensitivity and specificity.