In the presence of signs and symptoms of the disease, doctors prescribe many laboratory tests to confirm assumptions and make a diagnosis. In the list of appointments, patients can find an analysis of HPV: what it is, why and when it is prescribed - not everyone can answer.
What is HPV?
The human papillomavirus, HPV, is a whole group of common virus-like infectious diseases. Scientists know more than 100 species of this virus, and not all of them are dangerous to humans. Most of them remain undetected in the body for a long time and cause carriage. However, about 14 species of this virus are oncogenic - they provoke the development of malignant neoplasms. During the diagnosis, doctors always determine the type of HPV, its oncogenicity, its further actions and the nature of treatment.
Human papillomavirus - types
Papillomavirus is usually divided into types depending on the risk of provoking the development of oncology. Considering this factor, there are three main groups of HPV:
- non-oncogenic- never cause the development of malignant tumors.
- low oncogenic risk- can trigger the development of cancer under certain conditions: 6, 11, 42, 43, 44.
- High oncogenic risk- when infected with this type of HPV, it is difficult to prevent the development of malignant tumors. Oncogenic human papillomaviruses: 16, 18, 31, 35, 33, 45, 58, 59, 52.
How is the human papillomavirus transmitted?
Knowing how the papilloma virus is transmitted can reduce the risk of infection. However, it is difficult to avoid this in practice. 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 done during a kiss, when there are microcracks and scratches on the surface of the lips. You can also become infected if you violate the rules of hygiene when visiting public places:
- saunas;
- swimming pool:
- bathrooms;
- and also when using someone else's toothbrush, towel, razor.
Infection can also occur when the baby passes through the mother's infected tracts during birth. Experts do not exclude the possibility of transmission of the virus by contact: it is unstable, but is able to maintain some activity.Among the factors provoking HPV infection are:
- early onset of sexual activity;
- a large number of sexual partners;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- reduced immunity.
Human papillomavirus - symptoms
The human papilloma virus can reside in the body invisibly for a long time. According to experts, the incubation period can last from 2 months to 2 years. The disease progresses indefinitely: there are no clinical symptoms, and the main diagnostic methods indicate the norm. One out of every three patients recovers within 6-12 months from the moment of infection, thanks to the immune system.
The clinic of HPV damage in 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 where the virus penetrates the body: genitals, surface of the hands, lips. These formations look like papillary outgrowths, sometimes outwardly they resemble cauliflower. The protrusions are painless, but they can cause pain and bleeding with friction and injury.
Why do I need an HPV test?
After talking about the virus, let's move on to information about the 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 assumptions. This type of research has the following goals:
- identification of high oncogenic risk HPV;
- confirmation / rejection of persistence of a particular HPV type;
- Evaluation of cancer risk in patients with dysplasia of the epithelial layer of the cervix.
In addition to the reasons indicated for the examination, the HPV analysis (what it is - it was mentioned above) can be indicated in the following cases:
- Primary screening for cervical cancer in women over 30.
- Evaluation of the results of surgical treatment of intraepithelial neoplasia.
- Questionable results of cytological examination of gynecological smears.
What tests should I have 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 the HPV analysis, the patients go through this examination directly. Various biological body fluids can be used as examination material:
- blood;
- Pee;
- amniotic fluid (when diagnosing a disease during pregnancy).
Speaking about HPV analysis, what it is and how it is done, it is necessary to note the possibility of examining tissue material. Therefore, during colposcopy, the doctor carefully examines the mucous membrane of the cervix. The presence of small papillomas on them is direct evidence of damage to the body by HPV. For confirmation, a small piece of tissue is taken for examination under a microscope to exclude malignancy.
HPV diagnostic methods
HPV diagnosis is a set of measures aimed at detecting the presence of the virus and determining its type. The following techniques are used for this purpose:
- Digene test- modern exact method. With its help, it is possible to determine the concentration, type and oncogenicity of the virus in the body. Material for research is scraping from the mucous membrane of the urethra or vagina. It is often used in conjunction with cytology.
- PCR diagnosis of HPV- a simple and affordable diagnostic method that is common. The material used is the patient's blood or urine. It assumes that traces of viral DNA are detected in the sample.
- cytological examination- examination of the smear under a microscope. Evaluation criterion is the presence of modified cells in smear - dyskeratocytes and koilocytes.
- Detection of antibodies to HPV- helps to identify virus infection in the early stages. The disadvantage is that it is not possible to detect the concentration and type of virus.
- Histological examination - examination of the affected tissue sample to determine the HPV type and oncogenicity.
Human papillomavirus - how to test?
Before the examination or even during the referral, doctors explain to the patient in detail how the HPV test is performed in a particular situation. Depending on the methods and examination materials used, the analysis algorithm may differ. Research preparation is of great importance. Correct implementation of all points of preparatory measures allows you to obtain objective results of the analysis and eliminate the need for repeated application.
Preparation for HPV analysis
Before HPV analysis, 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;
- Pee;
- a swab from the vagina or urethra.
Depending on the type of biological fluid being examined, the patient is given advice on how to prepare for the analysis the day before. The task of the examiner is to fully comply with the rules of preparation. This will prevent false results and, in some cases, false positives when the result indicates the presence of HPV in the absence of it.
HPV blood test
Talking about how the HPV test is done, it should be noted that in most cases the patient's blood is used for this. The study is carried out on an empty stomach: 10-12 hours before the expected time to take the material, the patient is not allowed to eat, as a drink you can use plain water without gas. It is forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages, fatty and junk food 2-3 days before the analysis day. Only in this case, diagnosing HPV through blood will allow you to obtain accurate test results.
HPV smear analysis
This method is more often used to study the fair sex. Women prepare for this examination before they have an HPV test. The doctor introduces the patient in detail to all the rules of preparation.The following important points can be highlighted in this process:
- A smear is taken before starting antibiotic therapy or 2. 5 weeks after the end of therapy.
- On the day of sampling, it is forbidden to toilet of the external genitalia using chemical hygiene products.
- It is forbidden to douche, enter vaginal suppositories.
- You should refrain from sexual intercourse the day before taking the material.
- It is ideal to conduct an analysis in the middle of the cycle, it is forbidden to conduct a study during the ovulation period.
Decoding HPV analysis
Only a doctor can accurately decipher the results of the 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 drugs and choose effective methods of treatment. 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 HPV analysis
When performing an HPV test using quantitative analysis, decoding involves determining the concentration of the virus during the study. This helps determine the right 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 particular type of human papillomavirus.
But even those who know the HPV analysis, what it is and how it is done, cannot independently decipher the results. This should be done in conjunction with the patient's examination and other investigations. When assessing, experts adhere to the interpretation of the following indicators:
- lg<3- the risk of developing dysplasia is low;
- lg 3-5- a clinically significant outcome, 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 with high oncogenic risk is performed using this technique. Helps identify 16th and 18th HPV types. These forms of the virus usually cause genital cancer in women and squamous cell carcinoma, genital warts, and cervical dysplasia. The detection efficiency of HPV DNA reaches 98%. The result suggests an answer with an indication of each virus type. There are two possible outcomes: found / not found.