In the presence of symptoms and signs of the disease, doctors prescribe a number of laboratory tests to confirm the assumptions and make a diagnosis. In the list of appointments, patients can find HPV analysis: what it is, why and when it is prescribed - everyNo one can answer.
What is HPV?
Human papillomaviruses are a whole group of infectious diseases such as HPV viruses that are widespread. Scientists know more than 100 types of this virus, and not all of them are dangerous to humans. Most are present in the body for an imperceptibly long time. However, about 14 types of this virus are oncogenic - they provoke the development of malignant neoplasms. When making a diagnosis, doctors always pay attention to the type of HPV, its oncogenicity, which determines further action and treatmentdetermines the nature of
Human papillomavirus - types
Papilloma virus is usually divided into types depending on the risk of provoking the development of oncology. Taking this factor into account, there are three main groups of HPV:
- non-oncogenicNever causes the development of malignant tumors.
- low oncogenic risk- can provoke 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 avoid the development of malignant tumors. Oncogenic human papillomavirus: 16, 18, 31, 35, 33, 45, 58, 59, 52.
How is the human papillomavirus spread?
Knowing how the papillomavirus is transmitted can reduce the risk of infection. In practice, however, it is difficult to avoid. In most cases, transmission occurs with the onset of sexual activity: sexual intercourse is the main mode of transmission of the virus. Transfer can also be done during kissing, 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:
- sauna;
- Pool:
- Bathing;
- And also when using someone else's toothbrush, towel, razor.
Infection can also occur if the child passes through the infected path 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 provoking HPV infection:
- early onset of sexual activity;
- a large number of sexual partners;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- low immunity.
Human papillomavirus - symptoms
Human papillomavirus can exist in the body invisibly 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 are idealOne in three patients, because of their immune system, recover within 6-12 months from the moment of infection.
The clinic of HPV damage to the body is reduced to the presence of skin formations. Patients notice papillomas, warts and condylomas on their skin. Their localization may be different and corresponds to the place of entry of the virus into the body: genital, surface of the hands, lips. These formations look like papillary outgrowths, sometimes they are outwardly similar to cauliflower. The outgrowths are painless, but with friction and bruising, they can cause pain and bleedingHuh.
Why do I need an HPV test?
Having told about the virus, let's move on to information about HPV analysis: what kind of research it is, how it is carried out and in what cases it is determined. To begin with, we note thatIf human papillomavirus is suspected, the analysis helps to confirm or refute the assumptions. This type of research has the following goals:
- Identification of HPVs of high oncogenic risk;
- confirmation / denial of persistence of a certain type of HPV;
- Cancer risk assessment in patients with dysplasia of the cervical epithelial layer.
In addition to the designated reasons for the examination, HPV analysis (what it is - explained above) can be shown in the following cases:
- Primary screening for cervical cancer in women over the age of 30.
- Evaluation of the results of the surgical treatment of intraepithelial neoplasia.
- Doubtful results of cytological examination of gynecological smears.
What tests should I do for HPV?
There are several methods for determining the presence of the papilloma virus in the body. Although in most cases doctors resort to PCR. If it is necessary to pass an analysis for HPV, patients undergo this test directly. Various biological fluids of the bodyCan be used as material for testing:
- blood;
- urine;
- Amniotic fluid (when diagnosing a disease during pregnancy).
Talking about HPV analysis, what it is and how it is performed, it is necessary to dwell on the possibility of studying tissue material. So, during colposcopy, the doctor carefully examines the mucous membrane of the cervix. thm. But the presence of small papillomas 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 diagnosis 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, type and oncogenicity of the virus in the body. The material for research is scraping from the mucous membrane of the urethra or vagina. It is often used in conjunction with cytologygoes.
- PCR Diagnostics of HPV- A simple and inexpensive diagnostic method that is widespread. The material used is the patient's blood or urine. Detection of traces of viral DNA in the sample.
- cytological examination- Examination of the smear under the microscope. The evaluation criterion is the presence of modified cells in the smear - deskeratocytes and coelocytes.
- Detection of antibodies to HPV- Helps to identify virus infection at an early stage. The disadvantage is that it is not possible to establish 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?
Even before issuing a referral, the doctor explains to the patient in detail how the HPV test is to be performed in a particular case. Depending on the methods used and the test material, the analysis algorithm may vary. Preparation of the researchof great importance. The correct implementation of all points of preparatory measures allows you to get the objective result of the analysis and eliminates the need for repeated implementation.
HPV analysis preparation
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 analysis the day before. The examiner's task is to fully comply with the preparation rules. This yields false resultsand in some cases a false positive, 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 this. The study is carried out on an empty stomach: 10-12 from the expected time of taking the material. Hours before, the patient is not allowed to 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 junk foodOnly in this case, the diagnosis of HPV by blood will allow you to get accurate test results.
HPV smear analysis
This method is used more often to examine the fair sex. Before testing women for HPV, they are prepared for this examination. The doctor explains in detail all the rules of preparation to the patient. In this process, the following important points can be highlighted:
- A smear is taken before starting a course of antibiotics or 2. 5 weeks after the end of treatment.
- On the day of sampling, it is prohibited to conduct a toilet of the external genital organs using chemical hygiene products.
- It is forbidden to douche, to enter the vaginal suppository.
- The day before taking the material, you should refrain from sexual intercourse.
- It is ideal to conduct an analysis in the middle of the cycle, it is forbidden to study during the period of ovulation.
Decoding the analysis of HPV
Only a doctor can correctly 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. Getting a complete picture of what is happeningAt 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 an HPV test is performed using quantitative analysis, decoding involves establishing the concentration of the virus at the time of study. This helps determine the correct strategy for patient management. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) measures the amount of HPV DNA in a test sample. This is essential for continuous dynamic monitoring of a specific type of human papillomavirus.
However, even those who know about HPV analysis, what it is and how it is performed, cannot independently understand the results. This must be done in conjunction with the patient's examination and other examinations. . While making the assessment, experts adhere to the following interpretation of the indicators:
- LG
- LG 3-5- there is a risk of developing a clinically significant outcome, cervical dysplasia;
- LG >5- High probability of dysplasia, possibly an early stage of the disease.
Qualitative HPV Analysis
High oncogenic risk HPV analysis is performed using this technique. Helps to 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 womenHPV DNA detection efficiency reaches 98%. The findings suggest an answer with an indication of each type of virus. There are two possible outcomes: found/not found.