Human papillomavirus detection using in situ hybridization and correlations with histological and cytological findings.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main causative agent of cancerous and precancerous lesions in cervical cancers. The infection detection is performed by cytological and histological examination. However, molecular testing for HPV infection remains necessary to distinguish nonspecific inflammatory lesions from HPV-related lesions. We aimed to compare cytological and histological diagnosis of HPV lesions and to confront histological findings with molecular detection of HPV by in situ hybridization (ISH).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 2399 pap smears were collected between 1997 and 2002. Twenty-nine of them presented with lesions indicative of HPV infection. Colposcopy and biopsy were performed on 23 of these 29 pap smears, with a comparison of the cytological and histological findings. Molecular testing for HPV by ISH was performed on 11 pap smears.

RESULTS: A 79% cytological and histological agreement was observed. ISH revealed the presence of the virus in seven case patients, amounting to a 63% histological and molecular agreement. Seven HPV genotypes were categorized (6-11-16-18-31-33-51).

CONCLUSION: HPV detection by ISH adds little to the diagnosis of HPV-associated lesions based on cytological and histological features. It, however, helps improve the specificity of the diagnosis and determine the viral genotype which, in turn, helps better define the lesion prognosis.