In the presence of symptoms and signs of the disease, doctors prescribe many laboratory tests to confirm the assumptions and make a diagnosis. On the list of terms, patients can find HPV analysis: what it is, why and when it is prescribed - not everyone can answer.
What is HPV?
The human papilloma virus, HPV, is a whole group of viral infectious diseases that are widespread. Scientists know more than 100 types of this virus, and not all of them are dangerous to humans. Most of them are imperceptibly present in the body for a long time, causing wear and tear. However, about 14 species of this virus are oncogenic - they cause the development of malignant neoplasms. When making a diagnosis, doctors always pay attention to the type of HPV, its oncogenicity, which determines further actions and the nature of treatment.
Human papilloma virus - types
Papilloma virus 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:
- Neoncogenes- 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- When infected with these types of HPV, it is difficult to avoid the development of malignant tumors. Oncogenic human papilloma viruses: 16, 18, 31, 35, 33, 45, 58, 59, 52.
How is the human papilloma virus transmitted?
Knowing how the papilloma virus is transmitted can reduce the risk of infection. However, in practice 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 transmission 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 break the rules of hygiene while visiting public places:
- saunas;
- pool:
- baths;
- and also when you use someone else's toothbrush, towel, razor.
Infection can also occur when the baby passes through the infected mother's pathways during birth. Experts do not rule out the possibility of transmission of the virus by contact: it is unstable, but is able to maintain a certain 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 papilloma virus - symptoms
The human papilloma virus 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 the norm. Every third patient, thanks to his 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 condyloma on the skin. Their localization can be different and corresponds to the place of penetration of the virus into the body: genitals, hand surface, lips. These formations look like papillary growths, sometimes resembling cauliflower on the outside. The growths are painless, but with friction and injury can cause pain and bleeding.
Why do I need an HPV test?
After we talk about the virus, let's move on to the information about HPV analysis: what kind of research it is, how it is conducted and in which cases it is prescribed. To begin with, we note that if the human papilloma virus is suspected, analysis helps to confirm or refute assumptions. Research of this kind has the following goals:
- identification of high-risk HPV;
- confirmation / denial of persistence of a particular type of HPV;
- cancer risk assessment in patients with cervical epithelial dysplasia.
In addition to the reasons given for the review, HPV analysis (what is above) can be shown in the following cases:
- Primary screening for cervical cancer in women older than 30 years.
- Evaluation of the results of surgical treatment of intraepithelial neoplasia.
- Suspicious results of cytological examination of gynecological smears.
What tests should I do for HPV?
There are several methods for determining the presence of papilloma virus in the body. However, in most cases, doctors resort to PCR. If it is necessary to undergo HPV analysis, patients undergo this examination directly. Different biological body fluids can be used as test material:
- blood;
- urine;
- amniotic fluid (when the disease is diagnosed during pregnancy).
Speaking about HPV analysis, what it is and how it is performed, it is necessary to mention the possibility of studying tissue tissue. So, during the colposcopy, the doctor carefully examines the cervical mucosa. The presence of small papillomas on them is direct evidence of HPV damage in 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 determining the presence of a virus and determining its type. The following techniques are used for this purpose:
- Great test- modern precision method. With its help, it is possible to determine the concentration of the virus in the body, type and oncogenicity. The research material is scraping from the mucous membrane of the urethra or vagina. It is often used in combination with cytology.
- PCR diagnosis of HPV- a simple and affordable diagnostic method that is widespread. The material used is the patient's blood or urine. It involves detecting traces of viral DNA in a sample.
- Cytological examination- examination of smears under a microscope. The evaluation criterion is the presence of modified cells in the smear - dyskeratocytes and koilocytes.
- Detection of antibodies to HPV- helps to recognize viral infection 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 papilloma virus - how to get tested?
Before the examination, even when issuing a referral, the doctors tell the patient in detail how to take the HPV test in this particular case. Depending on the test methods and materials used, the analysis algorithm may differ. Preparing for research is of great importance. Proper implementation of all points of preparatory measures allows you to obtain objective results of the analysis and eliminate the need for re-implementation.
Preparation for HPV analysis
Before being tested for HPV, the patient must meet a number of conditions. In this case, the method of research and the type of material for analysis are crucial. It is represented by:
- blood;
- urine;
- swab from vagina or urethra.
Depending on the type of biological fluid being studied, the patient is given recommendations on how to prepare for the analysis the day before. The task of the respondents is to fully respect the rules of preparation. This will prevent you from getting false results, and in some cases false positives, when the result indicates the presence of HPV in its absence.
HPV blood test
Speaking about how the HPV test is done, it should be noted that in most cases, the patient's blood is used for that. The study is conducted on an empty stomach: 10-12 hours before the expected time of taking the material, the patient should not eat, as a drink you can use plain water without gas. 2-3 days before the day of the analysis it is forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages, fatty and unhealthy foods. Only in this case, the diagnosis of HPV through blood will allow you to get accurate test results.
HPV smear analysis
This method is more commonly used to examine the fairer sex. Before women are tested for HPV, they prepare for this examination. The doctor acquaints the patient in detail with all the rules of preparation. The following important points can be highlighted in this process:
- The swab is taken before the start of antibiotic therapy or 2. 5 weeks after the end of treatment.
- On the day of sampling, it is forbidden to perform toilets of external genital organs using chemical hygiene products.
- It is forbidden to rinse, insert vaginal suppositories.
- One day before taking the material you must refrain from intercourse.
- It is ideal to take the analysis in the middle of the cycle, research during the ovulation period is forbidden.
Decoding HPV analysis
Only a doctor can correctly decipher the results of the HPV test. The specialist assesses not only the quantitative value of the indicator, but also the clinical picture, possible signs of infection. Getting a complete picture of what is happening helps in choosing the right drugs and choosing effective treatment methods. At the same time, it is important to consider the seriousness of timely diagnosis and treatment: with the age of the patient increases the risk of developing malignant neoplasms.
Quantitative HPV analysis
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 right tactics for guiding patients. 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 papilloma virus.
However, even those who know about HPV analysis, what it is and how it is performed, cannot decipher the results on their own. This must be done in conjunction with the patient's examination and other examinations. In assessing, experts adhere to the following interpretation of 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, possible initial stages of the disease.
Qualitative HPV analysis
HPV analysis of high oncogenic risk is performed by this technique. Helps identify HPV types 16 and 18. These forms of the virus often cause genital cancer in women and squamous cell carcinoma, genital warts and cervical dysplasia. The efficiency of HPV DNA detection reaches 98%. The conclusion suggests a response indicating each type of virus. There are two possible outcomes: found / not found.