In the presence of symptoms and signs of disease, doctors order numerous laboratory tests to confirm hypotheses and make a diagnosis. In the appointment list, patients can find an HPV analysis: what it is, why and when it is prescribed - not everyone can answer.
What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus, HPV is a whole group of virus-like infectious diseases that are widespread. Scientists know more than 100 types of this virus, and not all of them are dangerous to humans. Most are imperceptibly present in the body for a long time, causing transport. However, about 14 types of this virus are oncogenic: they provoke the development of malignant neoplasms. During diagnosis, doctors always pay attention to the type of HPV, its oncogenicity, which determines further actions and the nature of the treatment.
Human papillomavirus - types
The papilloma virus is usually divided into types depending on the risk of provoking the development of oncology. Taking this into account, there are three main groups of HPV:
- Not oncogenic- never cause the development of malignant tumors.
- Low oncogenic risk- can, under certain conditions, cause the development of cancer: 6, 11, 42, 43, 44.
- High oncogenic risk- once infected with these types of HPV, it is difficult to avoid the development of malignant tumors. Oncogenic human papillomaviruses: 16, 18, 31, 35, 33, 45, 58, 59, 52.
How is human papillomavirus transmitted?
Knowing how papillomavirus is transmitted can reduce the risk of infection. In practice, however, this is difficult to avoid. In the vast majority of cases, transmission occurs with the onset of sexual activity: sexual intercourse is the main mode of transmission of the virus. Its transfer can also be carried out during a kiss, when there are microcracks and scratches on the surface of the lips. You can also get infected if you violate hygiene rules while visiting public places:
- saunas;
- pool:
- bathrooms;
- and also when using someone else's toothbrush, towel, razor.
Infection can also occur when the baby crosses the mother's infected pathways during delivery. Experts do not rule out the possibility of transmission of the virus by contact - it is unstable, but it is able to maintain a certain 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
Human papillomavirus can be invisibly present in the body for a long time. The incubation period, according to experts, can last from 2 months to 2 years. The disease proceeds imperceptibly: there are no clinical symptoms, and the main diagnostic methods show the norm. One in three patients, thanks to their immune system, heals within 6-12 months from the time of infection.
The clinic of HPV damage to the body is reduced to the appearance of skin formations. Patients notice papillomas, warts and warts on their skin. Their localization can be different and corresponds to the place of penetration of the virus into the body: genitals, surface of the hands, lips. These formations look like papillary growths, sometimes outwardly they resemble a cauliflower. The growths are painless, but with friction and injury they can cause pain and bleeding.
Why do i need an HPV test?
Having talked about the virus, let's move on to information about HPV analysis: what kind of research is it, how it is carried out and in what cases it is prescribed. To begin with, we note that if a human papillomavirus is suspected, the analysis helps to confirm or refute the hypotheses. Searches of this type have the following objectives:
- identification of HPV with high oncogenic risk;
- confirmation / denial of persistence of a certain type of HPV;
- assessment of cancer risk in patients with dysplasia of the epithelial layer of the cervix.
In addition to the reasons given for the examination, the HPV analysis (what it is - indicated above) can be shown in the following cases:
- Primary screening for cervical cancer in women over 30.
- Evaluation of the results of the surgical treatment performed for intraepithelial neoplasms.
- Doubtful results of cytological examination of gynecological smears.
What tests do I need to take for HPV?
There are several methods of determining the presence of the papilloma virus in the body. However, in most cases, doctors resort to PCR. If a test for HPV needs to be passed, patients undergo this test directly. Various biological body fluids can be used as examination material:
- blood;
- urine;
- amniotic fluid (when diagnosing a disease during pregnancy).
Speaking about the analysis of HPV, what it is and how it is performed, it is necessary to note the possibility of studying tissue material. Then, during colposcopy, the doctor carefully examines the mucous membrane of the cervix. The presence of small papillomas on them is direct evidence of HPV damage to the body. For confirmation, a small piece of tissue is taken for examination under a microscope to rule out malignancy.
HPV Diagnostic Methods
HPV diagnostics is a set of measures aimed at establishing the presence of the virus and determining its type. For this purpose, the following techniques are used:
- Try digene- modern precise method. With the help of him, it is possible to establish the concentration of the virus in the body, its type and oncogenicity. The research material is scraping from the mucous membrane of the urethra or vagina. It is often used in conjunction with cytology.
- HPV PCR diagnostics- a simple and economical, widespread diagnostic method. The material used is the patient's blood or urine. It assumes the detection of traces of viral DNA in the sample.
- Cytological examination- examination of the smear under a microscope. The evaluation criterion is the presence of modified cells in the smear - dyskeratocytes and koilocytes.
- Detection of antibodies against HPV- helps identify virus infection in the early stages. The disadvantage is that it is not possible to determine the concentration and type of the virus.
- Histological examination - examination of a sample of the affected tissue to determine the type of HPV and its oncogenicity.
Human papillomavirus: how to get tested?
Before the examination, even during the issuance of the referral, doctors tell the patient in detail how the HPV test is performed in a particular case. Depending on the examination methods and materials used, the analysis algorithm may differ. Research preparation is of great importance. Proper implementation of all points of the preparatory measures allows to obtain objective results of the analysis and eliminate the need for repeated implementation.
Preparation for HPV analysis
Prior to HPV analysis, the patient must meet a number of conditions. In this case, the method of investigation and the type of material for analysis are of decisive importance. Is represented by:
- blood;
- urine;
- a swab from the vagina or urethra.
Depending on the type of biological fluid being studied, the patient is given recommendations on how to prepare for analysis the day before. The candidate's task is to fully follow the preparation rules. This will avoid getting false, and in some cases false positive, results when the result indicates the presence of HPV in its absence.
HPV blood test
Speaking about how the HPV test is performed, it should be noted that in most cases the patient's blood is used. The study is conducted on an empty stomach: 10-12 hours before the scheduled time for taking the material, the patient is not allowed to eat; as a drink, natural water without gas can be used. 2-3 days before the day of the analysis, it is forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages, fatty and junk foods. Only in this case, the diagnosis of HPV by blood will allow to obtain accurate test results.
HPV smear analysis
This method is most often used to examine the fair sex. Before women are tested for HPV, they are prepared for this exam. The doctor introduces the patient in detail to all the rules of preparation. In this process the following important points can be highlighted:
- A smear is taken before starting the course of antibiotics or 2, 5 weeks after the end of treatment.
- On the day of collection it is forbidden to make a toilet of the external genital organs using hygiene chemicals.
- It is forbidden to take a shower, get into vaginal suppositories.
- One day before taking the material, it is necessary to refrain from sexual intercourse.
- It is ideal to do an analysis in the middle of the cycle, it is forbidden to conduct a study during the period of ovulation.
Decoding of HPV analysis
Only a doctor can correctly decipher the results of an HPV test. The specialist evaluates not only the quantitative value of the indicators, but also the clinical picture, possible signs of infection. Getting a complete picture of what is happening helps in choosing the right medications and choosing effective treatment methods. At the same time, it is important to take into account the severity of timely diagnosis and treatment: with the age of the patient, the risk of developing malignant neoplasms increases.
Quantitative analysis of HPV
When an HPV test is performed using quantitative analysis, decoding involves determining the virus concentration at the time of the study. This helps determine the correct patient management tactic. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) measures the amount of HPV DNA in a test sample. This is necessary for continuous dynamic monitoring of a specific type of human papillomavirus.
However, even those who know the HPV analysis, what it is and how it is performed, cannot independently decipher the results. This must be done in conjunction with the patient examination and other examinations. During the evaluation, the experts adhere to the following interpretation of the indicators:
- lg<3- the risk of developing dysplasia is low;
- lg 3-5- clinically significant result, there is a risk of developing cervical dysplasia;
- lg >5- high probability of dysplasia, possibly the initial stage of the disease.
Qualitative analysis of HPV
HPV analysis of high oncogenic risk is performed using this technique. Helps identify the 16th and 18th types of HPV. These forms of the virus often cause genital cancer in women and squamous cell carcinoma, genital warts, and cervical dysplasia. The detection efficiency of HPV DNA reaches 98%. The conclusion suggests an answer with the indication of each type of virus. There are two possible results: found / not found.