In the presence of symptoms and signs of the disease, doctors prescribe many laboratory tests to confirm the assumptions and make a diagnosis. In the appointment list, patients can find an HPV test: what it is, why, and when it is signed - not everyone can answer.
What is HPV?
The human papillomavirus, HPV, is a group of viral-like infectious diseases that is widespread. Scientists know more than 100 types of the virus, and not all of them are dangerous to humans. Most are invisibly present in the body for long periods of time, causing transportation. However, about 14 types of the virus are oncogenic, provoking the development of malignancies. When making a diagnosis, doctors always pay attention to the type of HPV, its oncogenicity, which determines the nature of further action and treatment.
Types of human papillomavirus
Papilloma virus is usually classified according to the risk of provoking the development of oncology. Given this factor, there are three main groups of HPV:
- Not an oncogene- never cause the development of malignancies.
- Low oncogenic riskmay cause cancer under certain conditions: 6, 11, 42, 43, 44.
- High risk of oncogene- It is difficult to prevent the development of malignancies when you become infected with these types of HPV. Oncogenic human papillomaviruses: 16, 18, 31, 35, 33, 45, 58, 59, 52.
How is the human papillomavirus transmitted?
Knowing how the papillomavirus is transmitted can reduce the risk of infection. In practice, however, this is difficult to avoid. In most cases, transmission occurs at the beginning of sexual activity: the main mode of transmission of the virus is sexual intercourse. It can also be transferred during a kiss when there are microcracks and scratches on the surface of the lips. You can also become infected if you break the rules of hygiene when visiting public places:
- saunas;
- pool:
- baths;
- and also when using a foreign toothbrush, towel, razor.
Infection can also occur when a baby goes through the mother's infected pathways during childbirth. Specialists do not rule out the possibility of transmitting the virus through contact: it is unstable, but it is able to retain some activity.Among the factors that cause HPV infection:
- early onset of sexual activity;
- a large number of sexual partners;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- reduced immunity.
Human Papillomavirus - Symptoms
The human papillomavirus can be invisible in the body for a long time. The incubation period, according to experts, can last from 2 months to 2 years. The disease goes unnoticed: there are no clinical symptoms and the main diagnostic methods show normal. Every third patient recovers within 6-12 months of infection due to their immune system.
The body's HPV damage clinic is reduced to the appearance of skin formations. Patients notice papillomas, warts and warts on the skin. Their localization can vary and corresponds to the point of entry of the virus into the body: genitals, hands, lips. These formations look like papillary growths, sometimes externally reminiscent of cauliflower. The growths are painless, but with friction and injury they can cause pain and bleeding.
Why do I need an HPV test?
After talking about the virus, let's move on to the HPV test: what the study is, how it is performed, and when it is prescribed. We first note that if human papillomavirus is suspected, the analysis helps to confirm or refute the hypothesis. This type of research has the following objectives:
- identification of high oncogenic risk HPV;
- confirmation / denial of certain types of HPV persistence;
- assessment of cancer risk in patients with cervical epithelial dysplasia.
In addition to the reasons given for the test, an HPV test (as defined above) may be shown in the following cases:
- Primary cervical cancer screening in women after 30 years.
- Evaluation of the results of the performed surgical treatment of intraepithelial neoplasia.
- The results of cytological examination of gynecological smears are questionable.
What tests should be performed to detect HPV?
There are several ways to detect the presence of papillomavirus in the body. However, in most cases, doctors use PCR. If HPV testing is required, patients should be tested directly. Various biological body fluids can be used as materials for research:
- blood;
- urine;
- amniotic fluid (when diagnosing the disease during pregnancy).
When examining HPV for what it is and how it is performed, the possibility of tissue material research should be considered. Thus, during colposcopy, the doctor carefully examines the cervical mucosa. The presence of small papillomas on them is direct evidence of HPV damage in the body. A small piece of tissue is taken for microscopic examination to rule out the malignancy.
HPV diagnostic methods
HPV diagnosis is a set of measures designed to detect the presence and type of a virus. The following techniques are used for this purpose:
- Digene tests- modern accurate method. It can be used to determine the concentration, type and oncogenicity of the virus in the body. The study material is a scratch from the urethra or vaginal mucosa. It is often used in conjunction with cytology.
- HPV PCR diagnostics- a simple and accessible diagnostic method that is widespread. The material used is the patient's blood or urine. It is assumed that traces of viral DNA are detected in the sample.
- Cytological examination- microscopic smear examination. The evaluation criterion is the presence of modified cells in the smear - discrete cells and coilocytes.
- Detection of HPV antibodies- helps to identify viral infections in the early stages. The disadvantage is that it is not possible to determine the concentration and type of virus.
- Histological examination - examination of a sample of affected tissue to determine the type of HPV and its oncogenicity.
Human Papillomavirus - How To Test?
Before the examination, even at the time of referral, doctors tell the patient in detail how the HPV test is being performed in a particular case. The analysis algorithm may differ depending on the methods and test materials used. Preparation for research is very important. Proper implementation of all preparatory measures allows objective analysis to be obtained and eliminates the need for re-implementation.
Preparing for HPV testing
Prior to HPV testing, the patient must meet a number of conditions. In this case, the method of the survey and the type of analysis material are decisive. It is represented by:
- blood;
- urine;
- a swab from the vagina or urethra.
Depending on the type of biological fluid being studied, the patient is advised on how to prepare for the previous day's analysis. The task of the examinee is to fully comply with the preparation rules. This will avoid false positives and, in some cases, false positives if the result indicates the presence of HPV in its absence.
HPV blood test
Regarding how the HPV test is performed, it should be noted that in most cases the patient's blood is used for it. The study is performed on an empty stomach: 10-12 hours before the scheduled time of intake of the material, the patient is not allowed to eat as a drink without pure gas. It is forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages, fatty and unwanted foods for 2-3 days before the day of analysis. Only in this case will the diagnosis of HPV in the blood make it possible to obtain accurate test results.
HPV smear analysis
This method is more commonly used to test the fairer sex. Before women are tested for HPV, they are prepared for this test. The doctor will explain all the preparation instructions to the patient in detail.The following key points can be highlighted in this process:
- The smear is taken before the start of the antibiotic course or 2, 5 weeks after the end of treatment.
- On the day of sampling, it is forbidden to use an external hygiene toilet using chemical hygiene products.
- It is forbidden to wash, insert vaginal suppositories.
- You must refrain from sexual intercourse one day before taking the material.
- It is ideal to perform the analysis in the middle of the cycle, it is forbidden to perform the study during the ovulation period.
Decoding of HPV analysis
Only a doctor can decipher the results of an HPV test properly. The specialist evaluates not only the quantitative value of the indicators, but also the clinical picture and possible signs of infection. Getting a complete picture of what is going on helps you choose the right medicine and choose effective treatments. At the same time, it is important to take into account the seriousness of early diagnosis and treatment: the risk of developing malignancies increases with the patient's age.
Quantitative HPV analysis
If the HPV test is performed using quantitative analysis, decoding involves determining the concentration of the virus during the study. This helps to determine the correct treatment tactics for the patient. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) measures the amount of HPV DNA in a test sample. This is necessary for the continuous dynamic monitoring of certain types of human papillomavirus.
However, even those who know what an HPV test is and how it is performed cannot decipher the results on their own. This should be done in conjunction with the patient's examination and other examinations. In making their assessment, experts shall follow the interpretation of the following indicators:
- lg< 3- the risk of developing dysplasia is low;
- lg 3-5- clinically relevant outcome, risk of developing cervical dysplasia;
- lg >5- high probability of dysplasia, possibly early stage of the disease.
Qualitative HPV analysis
This method is used to perform a high-risk HPV analysis of oncogene. Helps identify HPV types 16 and 18. These forms of the virus often cause genital cancer and squamous cell carcinoma, genital warts and cervical dysplasia in women. The efficiency of HPV DNA detection is 98%. The conclusion offers an answer with an indication for each type of virus. There are two possible results: found / not found.