In the presence of symptoms and signs of illness, doctors prescribe many laboratory tests to confirm the assumptions and make a diagnosis. In the list of appointments, 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 carriage. However, about 14 types of this virus are oncogenic - they provoke the development of malignant neoplasms. When diagnosing, 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 into account this factor, there are three main groups of HPV:
- Non-oncogenic- never cause the development of malignant tumors.
- Low oncogenic risk- can, under certain conditions, provoke the development of cancer: 6, 11, 42, 43, 44.
- High oncogenic risk- when 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 the rules of hygiene while visiting public places:
- saunas;
- pool:
- baths;
- and also when using someone else's toothbrush, towel, razor.
Infection can also occur when the baby passes through the infected pathways of the mother during childbirth. Experts do not exclude the possibility of transmission of the virus by contact: it is unstable, but it is able to maintain some activity.Among the factors that provoke 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, recovers within 6-12 months from the moment of infection.
The clinic of HPV damage to the body is reduced to the appearance of skin formations. Patients notice papillomas, warts and condylomas on their skin. Their localization can be different and corresponds to the place of penetration of the virus into the body: genitals, surface of hands, lips. These formations look like papillary outgrowths, sometimes they outwardly resemble cauliflower. The outgrowths are painless, but with friction and injury, they can cause pain and bleeding.
Why do I need an HPV test?
Having told about the virus, let's move on to information about the HPV analysis: what kind of research it is, 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 assumptions. Research of this kind has the following goals:
- identification of HPV of high oncogenic risk;
- confirmation / denial of persistence of a certain type of HPV;
- assessment of the risk of cancer in patients with dysplasia of the epithelial layer of the cervix.
In addition to the named reasons 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 performed surgical treatment of intraepithelial neoplasia.
- Doubtful results of cytological examination of gynecological smears.
What tests should I take for HPV?
There are several methods for determining the presence of the papilloma virus in the body. However, in most cases, doctors resort to PCR. If it is necessary to pass an analysis for HPV, patients undergo this examination directly. Various biological body fluids can be used as a material for examination:
- blood;
- urine;
- amniotic fluid (when diagnosing a disease during pregnancy).
Talking about HPV analysis, what it is and how it is carried out, it is necessary to note the possibility of studying tissue material. So, 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 exclude 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:
- Digene test- modern precise method. With its help, it is possible to establish the concentration of the virus in the body, the type and oncogenicity. Material for research is scraping from the mucous membrane of the urethra or vagina. It is often used in combination with cytology.
- PCR diagnostics of HPV- a simple and affordable diagnostic method that is widespread. The material used is the patient's blood or urine. Assumes the detection of traces of virus DNA in the sample.
- Cytological examination- examination of the smear under a microscope. The assessment criterion is the presence of modified cells in the smear - dyskeratocytes and coilocytes.
- Detection of antibodies to HPV- helps to identify virus infection in the early stages. The disadvantage is that it is not possible to establish the concentration and type of 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, the doctors tell the patient in detail how the HPV test is taken in a particular case. Depending on the methods and examination materials used, the analysis algorithm may differ. Preparation for research is of great importance. Correct implementation of all points of the preparatory measures allows you to obtain objective results of the analysis and eliminate the need for repeated implementation.
Preparing for HPV analysis
Before the analysis of HPV, the patient must meet a number of conditions. In this case, the survey method and the type of material for analysis are of decisive importance. It is represented by:
- blood;
- urine;
- a swab from the vagina or urethra.
Depending on the type of biological fluid under study, the patient is given recommendations on how to prepare for the analysis the day before. The task of the examinee is to fully follow the rules of preparation. This will avoid getting false results, and in some cases false positives, when the result indicates the presence of HPV in its absence.
HPV blood test
Talking about how the HPV test is taken, it should be noted that in most cases the patient's blood is used for it. The study is carried out on an empty stomach: 10–12 hours before the expected time of taking the material, the patient is not allowed to eat; as a drink, you can use plain water without gas. 2-3 days before the day of analysis, it is prohibited to consume alcoholic beverages, fatty and junk food. Only in this case, the diagnosis of HPV by blood will allow you to obtain accurate test results.
HPV smear analysis
This method is more often used for examining the fair sex. Before women are tested for HPV, they are prepared for this examination. 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 sampling, it is prohibited to carry out a toilet of the external genital organs using chemical hygiene products.
- It is forbidden to douche, to enter vaginal suppositories.
- One day before taking the material, you must refrain from intercourse.
- It is ideal to take an analysis in the middle of the cycle; it is forbidden to conduct a study during the period of ovulation.
Decoding the analysis of HPV
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. Obtaining a complete picture of what is happening helps to choose the right medicines and choose effective methods of treatment. At the same time, it is important to take into account the seriousness of timely diagnosis and treatment: with the age of the patient, the risk of developing malignant neoplasms increases.
Quantitative HPV analysis
When an HPV test is carried out using quantitative analysis, decoding involves establishing the concentration of the virus at the time of the study. This helps to determine the correct tactics for patient management. 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 about the HPV analysis, what it is and how it is carried out, cannot independently decipher the results. This must be done in conjunction with the examination of the patient and other examinations. When assessing, experts adhere to the following interpretation of indicators:
- lg< 3- the risk of developing dysplasia is low;
- lg 3-5- a 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 HPV analysis
HPV analysis of high oncogenic risk is carried out using this technique. Helps to 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 an indication of each type of virus. There are two possible outcomes: found / not found.