Where do they get the HPV test from? Where to take a blood test to detect HPV: explanation of indicators, price, research features

Anyone who has condylomas of the external genitalia or other locations on the body should be tested for papilloma. The importance of this examination is explained by the widespread prevalence of this virus in the human population, its high contagiousness and the potential danger of papillomas to health. In this material we will tell you what tests are done for condylomas, how much the Digen test costs, and where it is better for women and men to go to get tested for HPV in Moscow.

Risk factors for developing cervical cancer include infection of a woman with the human papillomavirus. In gynecology, the degree of risk depends on which strain of HPV is found in the body. They are transmitted through sexual contact, as well as through household contact and cause damage to the mucous membranes of the vagina and cervix in women. The most relatively harmless of them are genital warts, the most dangerous are cervical cancer. Oncology can only be caused by types belonging to the high carcinogenic risk group. It has been clinically proven that types 16 and 18 of high oncogenic risk HPV can lead to cancer.

Brief information on the topic ✔

Today, gynecologists know more than 100 various types human papilloma virus. Among them, there are HPV types of high, medium and low oncogenic risk. In this case, a woman or man can be infected with one or several types of virus at the same time. The most common and fairly sensitive method for diagnosing PVI DNA is the PCR method.

HPV PCR analysis allows for a comprehensive diagnosis of the main types of high oncogenic risk - these are 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68. It should be taken into account that the detection of infection when analyzed for human papillomavirus in women, this is not yet a basis for diagnosing a malignant tumor. These results in gynecology serve as a reason for further examination, for example, passing the Daijin test, more careful monitoring of the state of health and, if necessary, treatment pathological changes cervical mucosa.

What tests to take for HPV

According to the recommendations of gynecologists, a test for human papillomavirus (complex for oncogenic types of HPV), in the absence of risk factors for infection, must be taken regularly once every 1-2 years. According to indications, namely - in the presence of papillomas and condylomas - more often. And a simple qualitative PCR test for HPV is suitable for such screening, allowing men, women, as well as children and adolescents to be tested for types of low, medium and high cancer risk.

If the analysis for human papillomavirus reveals oncogenic types of HPV, it is necessary to take clarifying tests to find out which types and in what concentration (quantity) are present, i.e. additional DNA - PCR diagnostics are carried out - "HPV genotyping" and "HPV quantitative". In combination with these tests, colposcopy and cervical smear testing for oncocytology are indicated.

1. ANALYSIS FOR HPV TYPES.
   HPV types of high oncogenic risk include types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68. Types 16 and 18 are considered the most dangerous, the least - 51, 56, 68. Types HPV VKR along with genital warts and dysplasias mild degree promote malignant degeneration of the cervical epithelium, leading to cancer. Genotyping, i.e. Determining the type of HPV in women makes it possible to distinguish carriers of the infection from cases reinfection. A positive result of a PCR test for HPV indicates the presence of the pathogen in the body.
2. HPV QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS.
   Human papillomavirus (HPV) of high carcinogenic risk (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68), total quantitation DNA by PCR. It has been proven that long-term persistence (5 - 10 years) of a significant amount of papillomavirus genotypes of high oncogenic risk in women over 30 years of age is associated with a significant increase in the risk of developing malignant changes in the cervix. A quantitative HPV test diagnoses a woman clinically significant level infection leading to the development of neoplasia (dysplasia). This helps the gynecologist to develop further tactics when caring for a patient.
3. ANALYSIS OF HPV 16, 18.
   These types can cause genital cancer in women and squamous cell carcinoma in persons of any gender. Oncogenic HPV types 16 and 18, along with genital warts and mild dysplasias, contribute to the malignant transformation of the cervical epithelium, leading to invasive cancer. PCR tests, performed in a quantitative format, make it possible to determine the concentration (viral load) of HPV type 16/18 in women and men.

How to test for HPV in women

You can take a papilloma test to determine the type of virus and its quantity if you wish, without a doctor’s referral. Special training before this is not required. Any day is suitable for this menstrual cycle except, of course, for menstruation itself. For DNA testing, a scraping from the cervix or external genitalia is sent to the laboratory, which is taken by a gynecologist.

The PCR result can be obtained within 2 days if there is no virus in the delivered material, and after 7-8 days if the analysis detects HPV of high oncogenic risk. This time is required to type the sample and determine the number of infectious particles, the so-called. “viral load” (when ordering a quantitative HPV test). Having received the study conclusion in hand, you can begin removing intimate condylomas.

Diagnosis of HPV infection in the clinic is one of important methods prevention of cervical cancer. Timely testing for HPV of oncogenic types plays a significant role in successful treatment of this disease in women, and in prevention in men and adolescent girls.

HPV PCR - analysis price

Digen test

In gynecology, there are more than 100 genotypes of the human papillomavirus. Infection of a woman or a man may not have clinical manifestations, and sometimes there is a natural cleansing of the body from the pathogen, especially in at a young age. But the presence of HPV in the cervical epithelium for a long time can cause its structural atypical changes. Cervical cancer is one of the few types malignant neoplasms, for which a causal relationship with infection with certain types of papillomavirus has been established. To diagnose the most dangerous HPV oncotypes, a Digene test is performed. This method reveals the level of presence of papilloma viruses in the genitals, leading to the development of neoplastic and atypical processes cervical canal and cervix.

The clinic offers 2 types of Digen test:

1. "Digen test" - comprehensive diagnostics infection of the body with HPV types of high oncogenic risk with genotyping into subgroups indicating quantitative values ​​(the so-called “viral load);
2. “HPV Digen test + PAP” is a comprehensive screening test used to identify the type and number of viral particles, as well as to predict precancerous conditions of the cervical canal and cervical cancer.

HPV complex

Daijin test		Price
HPV 6/11	qualitative	4 900
	genotyping
	quantitative
PAP - Digen test		Price
HPV strains 6/11	qualitative	6 900
HPV type determination (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59)	genotyping
HPV quantification (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68)	quantitative
Cervical cytology (PAP test)	2 points

Decoding the result of the Digen test

A positive Digene HPV test (+) result in girls under 30 years of age is an indication for repeating the test after 6-9 months, since in young women the infection can be transient.

Positive Digene HPV test (+) results in women over 30 years of age may indicate constant availability virus in the body. With certain PAP test results, this means that this patient has high risk development of cervical cancer pathology and requires additional examination (see HPV screening table below) and special therapy.

Many people who have never encountered the human papillomavirus are strongly recommended, if possible, to undergo an appropriate test to detect this disease. If the symptoms of the pathology begin to appear, then taking such an analysis is a mandatory measure. A viral disease of this type in men and women can occur as a result of transmission from another person in the following ways:

• Unprotected sex (transmission through kissing is also possible - if there are wounds in oral cavity and on the lips).
• During childbirth - from mother to baby.
• The virus can also enter the body of an unsuspecting person in the domestic sphere in places where there are many people: a public toilet, a swimming pool, a bathhouse. Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to use other people’s hygiene products.

This disease is not transmitted genetically through DNA. Therefore, the main risk of contracting an infection is ignoring the basic rules of hygiene, unprotected sexual contact, thoughtless sexual intercourse, as well as poor work immune system. A certain increase in the risk of infection occurs if a person has bad habits.

Important! If there is no carrier, then in nature, the HPV pathogen cannot survive for a long time (less than 1 day), but usually this is enough to infect a person.

If you want to take a blood test for HPV, you first need to go to the clinic, because one of the highly specialized doctors can give you the appropriate referral.

There are more than 100 types of HPV, and more than half of them do not pose any danger to humans, but some varieties are considered oncogenic, and therefore, with prolonged development, can cause cancer.

The papilloma virus is incredibly common and transmitted from person to person through sexual contact. Moreover, with unprotected contact, the likelihood of transmitting this particular virus is extremely high (compared to other STDs). IN last years, as doctors note, the number of cases increases exponentially every year.

This disease poses a particular danger to the weaker half of humanity, because it often causes the development of cancer of the cervix, as well as other cancer pathologies in women. The older the woman, the higher the risk of developing cancer. In men, the papilloma virus develops in genitourinary system, often leads to problems with erection, irreversible infertility and also to cancerous pathologies of the urogenital system. Therefore, preventive testing is the right and rational decision.

Doctors' opinions on the most effective methods of treating warts and papillomas

Describes his vision on this matter chief physician Moscow City Hospital No. 62. Anatoly Nakhimovich Makhson
Medical practice: more than 40 years.

“I have been treating people’s papillomas and warts for many years. I’m telling you as a doctor, papillomas along with HPV and warts can really lead to serious consequences if they are not dealt with.

The human papillomavirus is present in everyone on whose body there are papillomas, moles, warts and other pigmented formations. According to rough estimates, 80-85% of the planet's population has it. By themselves they are not dangerous. The problem is that an ordinary papilloma can become melanoma at any time.

These are incurable malignant tumors that kill a person in just a few months and from which there is no salvation.

Unfortunately, in Russia and the CIS countries, pharmaceutical corporations sell expensive medications that only relieve symptoms, thereby hooking people on one drug or another. That is why in these countries there is such a high percentage cancer diseases and so many people suffer from “non-working” drugs.

The only drug that I want to recommend, and it is also officially recommended by WHO for the treatment of papillomas and warts, is Papinol. This drug is the only remedy that has an effect not only on external factors(that is, it removes papillomas), and also acts on the virus itself. On this moment The manufacturer managed not only to create a highly effective product, but also to make it accessible to everyone. Moreover, within federal program Every resident of the Russian Federation and the CIS can get it for 149 rubles.”

What test should I take for human papillomavirus?

A highly specialized specialist can determine what type of analysis is required and what actions need to be taken for this. You can get professional advice on this issue from a number of doctors: dermatologist, urologist, gynecologist.

At the moment, there are several popular and effective methods that can not only identify the presence of a viral disease in a person, but also immediately classify it as a certain type - safe or dangerous.

Important! You cannot independently determine which test to take to find out if you have HPV - only a doctor should do this. He will indicate what the analysis is called.

Let us highlight the following methods used:

1. Colposcopy. A colposcope is used to examine the cervix in detail. During the procedure, the doctor can clearly examine the mucous membrane of the organ, obtain a high-quality image of all areas of interest, and also find even miniature papillomas and warts (if they are present).
2. Cytology. Cytology is a common method for detecting various pathological diseases infectious nature by examining the smear under a microscope. As a result of the study, you can get results of different classes: the first and second classes will indicate that a person does not have any problems with this virus; third class is a reason to undergo clarifying studies (usually histology is prescribed); grades four and five will indicate the presence of pathological cells. HPV infectious disease is diagnosed using cytology if specially modified cells were found in a person’s smear.
3. Histology, study of biopaths. To examine a sample using this technology, a specialist takes a small part of a person’s tissue (it’s difficult to say how they take it, because it’s different in each case). The studies are performed under a microscope - they also look for modified cells that are affected by a viral infection.
4. Search for antibodies to HPV. One of the most modern and useful types of research. This is due to the fact that the method involves searching for antibodies to a given infectious disease in human blood (partly diagnostic). Antibodies will appear in the human body much earlier than the virus begins its active activity. The method does not allow identifying the type of HPV pathology with a high degree of accuracy, and also does not indicate the concentration. Human blood, not tissue, is examined using the in vitro method.
5. Digene testing. A modern innovative method for detecting papillomavirus. Using this technology, you can find out all the characteristics of the disease. To obtain material for research, samples are taken from the mucous membrane of the urethra (men) and vagina (women). Often this type testing is prescribed in combination with cytology to make it possible to obtain the most accurate data on the existing pathology.
6. PCR. The method is most in demand in cases where it is necessary to examine the pathology of the papilloma virus with suspected oncology. Using this technology, a person donates blood, urine, and a swab from the mucous membrane (as indicated by the doctor). The method is based on identifying HPV DNA, so the results obtained regarding the presence or absence of the disease in a person are incredibly high in accuracy. It is difficult to study material using this method, so there is a high probability of obtaining false results, if the work is carried out by an inexperienced specialist, or there is a violation of the technology.

Important! Regardless of the type of test and method chosen, the tests will be simple and painless for people of any age.

In cases where testing involves taking material from the urethra or vagina, it is necessary to prepare in a certain way: a few days before, you should stop taking any medications with antiviral or antibacterial effect. A few hours before the collection of biomaterial, you need to refuse any hygiene procedures, do not go to the toilet.

If blood is used to detect the virus, the test should be done on an empty stomach. If you are very thirsty, you can drink a little clean water without sugar and gas. To avoid getting false results, you should give up alcoholic beverages and fatty foods a few days before the test.

be careful

The presence of papillomas and warts on the body is the first sign of malignant melanoma!

We hasten to warn you that most drugs that “treat” warts and papillomas are a complete deception of marketers who make hundreds of percentage points on drugs whose effectiveness is zero. They do not cure the disease, but only mask the symptoms.

The pharmacy mafia makes huge money by deceiving sick people.

But what to do? How to treat if there is deception everywhere? Doctor of Medical Sciences Anatoly Makhson conducted own investigation and found a way out of this situation. IN this article The doctor also told how to 100% protect yourself from melanoma, for only 149 rubles!
Read the article in the official source on

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is widespread throughout the world: it affects 8 out of 10 people on the planet. Today, more than a hundred types of HPV are known. Many of them do not pose a serious danger, while others cause the development of warts. There are also those that are a risk factor for developing cancer. Because the virus spreads easily, it is important to get an HPV test to know for sure whether you are infected or not.

What is the danger of the virus

Human papillomavirus causes all kinds of warts and papillomas on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. The main routes of transmission of the human papillomavirus are unprotected sexual contacts and infection of the child from the mother during childbirth. There is also the possibility of getting an infection through household means.

The human immune system can restrain the development of infection for a long time, but a serious malfunction in the body’s functioning is sufficient for the virus to proceed to active division.

Papillomavirus is the second most common sexually transmitted infection in women. This is a very dangerous disease, since many strains of HPV are carcinogenic and can provoke the development of neoplasms with a high risk of degeneration into malignant tumors. For example, in case of cervical cancer in women, the results of an HPV test almost always detect virus types 16 and 18. According to some scientists, there is a connection between breast cancer and papillomavirus infection.

In what cases is laboratory diagnostics required?

Approximately half of those infected have clinical manifestations of HPV, therefore, in order to know for sure whether the virus is present or not, it is necessary to be tested using medical tests. In this case, it is much more important to find out what type of HPV has entered the body. What tests are taken depends on the purpose of the study:

• determine the type of HPV;
• set the amount of virus;
• assess the degree of cell damage, etc.

A test for papillomavirus should be done not only in the presence of clinical manifestations, but also when planning pregnancy in order to protect the child from infection.

Currently there are many ways laboratory diagnostics HPV. What tests to take are decided by the doctor who issues the referral. If an infection is detected in one of the sexual partners, the other should also undergo examination, since infection almost always occurs through sexual contact.

What are antibodies to HPV

A test for HPV using the enzyme immunoassay method (ELISA) is carried out to detect antibodies to viral infection. Contrary to popular belief, donating blood for an HPV test cannot determine the presence of the virus in the body. The ELISA test does not show the presence of HPV, but the presence of antibodies to it.

To understand the meaning of this study, you need to understand what antibodies are. These are substances that are produced in connection with infectious activity and vary depending on the duration of the infection. The result of an antibody test indicates whether the body has encountered the virus and makes it possible to clarify whether the disease is in the active phase or whether the person has had it for a long time.

Preparing for analysis

As a rule, to perform an HPV analysis using ELISA, a routine venous blood sample is taken. Preparation for analysis in this case does not require much effort. First, you need to decide when is the best time to donate blood for testing. The optimal time is the morning, and it is better to take tests during the period of exacerbation of the disease. Venous blood is usually donated on an empty stomach.

For the most accurate result, it is better to find out in advance how to prepare for the HPV test. It's better not to eat for a few days fatty foods. If you are taking antiviral drugs in preparation for testing, it is advisable to stop taking them for a while.

Types of analyzes

IN modern medicine There are many ways to diagnose viral infections. HPV tests include laboratory and instrumental research methods that allow you to establish the presence of the virus, determine its type and assess the amount of damage it has caused.

To find out how the human papillomavirus test is taken and how to prepare for it, you should clarify which one you need to take. The concept of analysis for human papillomavirus combines several absolutely different methods: PCR, blood test for antibodies, Digene test, cytological method, colposcopy and others.

Polymerase chain reaction

PCR is one of the most common and reliable methods for laboratory diagnosis of viral infections. In modern medical practice it is used much more often than the HPV blood test. The material for research is most often a smear of mucous membrane.

The method allows you to detect the presence of the disease even with a low viral load through a process called amplification. As a result of amplification, a significant increase in minor concentrations of DNA fragments occurs.

The collection of material is carried out absolutely painlessly during gynecological examination, so many patients receive the results of the study, but do not even know how to get tested.

Digene test

If it is necessary to determine the concentration of the virus, this is often chosen among all methods. What is a Daijin Test? This is a new test for papillomavirus, which is highly accurate and shows the concentration of HPV, its type and oncogenicity.

To properly prepare for the study, you need to know how the material is collected. The test is performed in a laboratory, and a scraping is taken from the mucous membrane of the vagina or urethra for examination. To avoid distortion of the results, you should take a smear in the middle of the cycle and be sure to inform your doctor about the medications you are taking. Two days before the smear test, you should abstain from sexual intercourse.

Some patients are afraid painful sensations while taking material, but this is unreasonable if you know how scrapings are taken. The smear is taken with a special brush and applied to a glass slide. It's absolutely painless.

Cytological method

Another way to test for the papilloma virus is a cytological examination. To perform this test, a smear containing epithelial cells is taken, which are examined using a microscope. This procedure identifies altered cells indicating a viral infection. This research method is quite simple, but often produces a false negative result.

Colposcopy

Colposcopy is a fairly simple method in which the mucous membranes of the cervix and vagina are examined using a microscope. The study is performed to identify condylomas, which are caused by a viral infection.

Such examinations are done with multiple magnification in order to notice even very small condylomas. If condylomas are detected, an HPV test is usually prescribed to determine viral DNA.

General blood analysis

A general blood test is not one of the main methods for diagnosing papillomavirus; its results cannot clearly determine the presence or absence of the virus. The virus can only be detected in cells epithelial tissue. Blood may only contain signs of infection such as antibodies. Also, using the UAC, you can determine the presence inflammatory process in organism.

How men and women get tested for HPV

Analysis for human papilloma objective reasons Women are more likely to get tested, but men can also be carriers of the virus. If a partner has been diagnosed with HPV or a man has noticed papilloma in his genital area, he is shown a test for papillomavirus.

In order for the result to be accurate, it is important to know how to take the HPV test and prepare properly. So, 2-3 hours before scraping from the urethra you should not urinate. In women, epithelial cells are collected from the cervix, just as a smear is taken for other gynecological examinations.

The types of testing for women and men are practically no different: a smear containing epithelial cells is taken for examination. For histological examination, tissue can be collected directly from the papilloma. For the PCR method, a scraping is made from the urethral mucosa in men. This is not the most pleasant procedure, but it is the smear for the human papillomavirus that is the most informative biomaterial.

How long does the analysis take?

After how many days it will be possible to get results, the doctor should clarify. The turnaround time depends on the research method and the laboratory, but there are generally accepted guidelines for how long an HPV test is done:

• PCR – 1-2 days;
• Digene test – 1-2 weeks;
• cytological examination – 1-2 days.

A blood test for antibodies is done in the standard number of days for a serological test - 1-3 days, depending on the laboratory.

Modern diagnostic methods are quite accurate, but there is still a percentage of error, so the previously performed test should be repeated later.

Decoding the received data

After the papilloma test is completed, the next step in making a diagnosis is deciphering the HPV tests. You can get an idea of ​​what the form containing the results of HPV tests looks like and find out what parameters are used to decipher the analysis yourself.

Information in publicly available sources regarding HPV testing and other research is for informational purposes only. Only a doctor can correctly decipher the test results and make a diagnosis.

Vaccines against papillomavirus have recently appeared that can protect against infection with highly carcinogenic strains. Vaccinated people do not need to undergo testing for infection.

Deciphering the results is not particularly difficult for a specialist if the unit of measurement is correctly indicated on the form and reference values ​​are indicated. Please note that different laboratories may have different normal values.

What can influence the result

Modern diagnostic methods are highly accurate, but it is impossible to completely eliminate the possibility of error. In addition, the result may be distorted if you are tested for human papillomavirus after taking antibiotics or antiviral drugs. Insufficiently well-performed material sampling can also affect the accuracy of the study.

How often should you be checked?

To avoid dangerous consequences HPV infection, all women should undergo regular papillomavirus testing. How often this needs to be done depends on whether the infection has been previously detected. If the presence of high-risk papillomavirus in the body is confirmed, repeated tests should be performed every 9-12 months, but if the virus is not detected, you can take an HPV test after 3-5 years.

Many people associate the human papillomavirus with harmless warts on the skin of the hands, feet, or other parts of the body. With such a problem good immunity copes independently in 6–12 months. But not everyone knows that HPV currently has about 170 types, which differ in symptoms, location and effect on the body. Let's figure out what tests are needed to detect strains of the virus in the body, how to prepare for them, and how to decipher the results obtained.

What is HPV and when are tests prescribed to detect it?

The most serious danger to humans are strains of the virus that can cause cancer, the so-called high-oncogenic risk papillomaviruses. In 50% of cases when cervical cancer is diagnosed, the analysis contains type 16 markers, in 10% (which is also quite a lot) - type 18. These two types of HPV are rightfully considered the most dangerous.

The routes of transmission of the virus can be different - from everyday life (through touch or water in the pool) to infection of the child during childbirth (if the mother has this disease). But one of the most common ways of contracting HPV is through sexual contact, even such types as oral-genital and anal. This is explained by the fact that the mucous membranes are especially vulnerable to infections, since they do not have a stratum corneum. By infecting the basal layer of the epithelium, the virus penetrates the body's cells. The further scenario for the development of the disease has two paths: HPV can exist outside the chromosome of a cell, or it can integrate into its genome, causing tissue degeneration. Exposure to HPV, reduced immunity and the body’s inability to fight infection contribute to the appearance of genital warts (on the mucous membranes of the genitals or mouth) and warts, which can degenerate into malignant formations.

In many cases, HPV is present in the body without making its presence known. But there are a number of indications when it is necessary to be tested for the presence of a virus in the body:

• urogenital infections in acute or chronic form(papillomas, condylomas);
• infertility, miscarriages, pregnancy pathologies;
• having a sexual partner infected with HPV;
• preventive studies of the body.

As mentioned earlier, the human papillomavirus has many specific types. That is why there are several types of tests to detect the disease.

On a note
At the moment, there are two types of HPV vaccines - one of them can protect the body from 2 oncogenic strains of the virus (16 and 18), the second from 4 (6, 11, 16 and 18). For the vaccine to work, a course of three vaccinations is required.

What test should I take to detect HPV?

An analysis for the human papillomavirus can show the presence or absence of the disease, and in some cases, accurately determine its type. Having received the results of the study, the doctor (gynecologist, urologist or dermatologist) will be able to develop the right strategy to combat the disease.

• Cytological method, or cytological smear. Belongs to the category of classic safe and simple methods, allows you to determine the class of disease development. It has a number of disadvantages due to the high probability of error due to incorrect sampling of material and interpretation of results (specificity of the analysis - 69%, level of false negative results - 5–40%).
• Colposcopy. This test is prescribed to women based on the results cytological examination, in case of suspected presence of altered squamous epithelial cells. Using a special microscope, the doctor examines the surface of the vagina and cervix to identify visible signs of the disease: genital warts.
• Histological method. If suspicious growths are detected on the walls of the vagina during colposcopy, the doctor has the opportunity to take a small sample of tissue for subsequent examination. This reveals the nature of cell changes and disruptions in their functioning.
• ELISA ( linked immunosorbent assay) . This study is based on studying the activity of the body's immune response to HPV. ELISA may be additional analysis, but pronounced diagnostic value by itself does not have.
• Digene test (amplification). One of the most modern, fast and accurate tests for HPV. It is carried out on the basis of a tissue sample obtained or scraping of cells from the vagina, cervical canal, or urethra. Shows the degree of oncogenicity of the virus and its concentration.
• PCR (non-amplification). This research method can give a positive or negative answer to the question of the presence of HPV in the human body. The material for analysis is saliva, blood, vaginal discharge, etc. PCR can even detect hidden infection in organism.

Each patient who has been prescribed a test for human papillomavirus should know how to prepare for taking material for research.

Rules for preparing for biomaterial collection

There are a number simple rules guidelines that the patient must follow to obtain accurate HPV test results.

Women need to know that during menstruation, as well as within 5 days before the start and 5 days after the end, the test cannot be taken. The day before, you should not douche the vagina; on the recommendation of your doctor, you should stop taking antibiotics. Two days before the procedure, you must abstain from sexual intercourse. If the biomaterial is samples of cells from the urethra, then at least 1.5–3 hours should pass after the last urination.

The procedure for collecting biomaterial does not take much time. A smear is taken using a cotton swab from the vagina in women and from the urethra in men. Some types of tests may require a biopsy of the cervix - in this case, the doctor takes a sample of organ tissue with a special instrument. The patient does not feel pain, because there are no pain receptors on the cervix. But several discomfort associated with organ contractions are possible.

The patient receives the results of the analysis on a special form, which indicates a positive or negative answer, or quantitative data indicating the degree of infection.

Figures and facts
In 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Harold zur Hausen, a German scientist who proved that the human papillomavirus causes cervical cancer.

Interpretation of HPV test results

Many patients who have received test results for the human papillomavirus want to quickly find out whether they should seriously fear for their health or can they breathe easy? There are many options for interpreting results on the Internet. various analyzes. It should be borne in mind that only the attending physician, based on the data obtained and general history, can make an accurate diagnosis.

The result of the cytological test is to determine the class of the disease, from 1st to 5th - as the danger increases. Class 1 means the absence of HPV cells in the analysis, class 5 indicates the presence of cells modified by the virus in large numbers.

The results of the Digene test are more difficult to decipher, because what matters here is the number of conventional units in which the ratio of the number of cells susceptible to HPV to the threshold value of the study is measured. If the analysis is performed for the first time, then any value above the norm indicates a clinically significant number of infected cells in the body. If the purpose of the study is to track the dynamics of treatment, then a decrease in value is a sign of recovery.

Due to the fact that the human papillomavirus can be in the body, but not manifest itself in any way, everyone who cares about their health needs to undergo regular preventive examinations. The incubation period of the virus can last up to several years, and only then does the active phase begin. A disease identified in time is a chance to begin treatment faster and avoid many negative consequences HPV.

Wednesday, 03/28/2018

Editorial opinion

As already mentioned, when often thinking about papillomavirus, people imagine only ordinary warts, which, as we know, can be gotten rid of with simple folk remedies. But it is worth remembering that a benign neoplasm is just the tip of the iceberg and infection can be on a much larger scale. Therefore, if you notice warts on the body, you need to immediately get tested for HPV to find out what type of viruses are present in the body.

HPV (human papillomavirus, papillomavirus, HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. The main danger of HPV is that when it stays in the body for a long time, some types of this virus can cause cancer.

HPV is not the same as the herpes virus or HIV. Although all of these infections are viral and are transmitted during unprotected sex, they cause different symptoms and different consequences.

How does HPV infection occur?

There are more than 120 different types of HPV, and about 40 of them are sexually transmitted. The types of HPV that most often cause and are transmitted mainly during unprotected sex.

HPV infection is possible during vaginal and. Less commonly, the virus is transmitted during oral sex, or through contact of the genitals with the secretions of an infected person (for example, if the infected partner first touches his genitals and then your genitals).

HPV infection is also possible through kissing. In this case, symptoms of oral papillomavirus infection (rash in the mouth and throat) may appear.

The human papillomavirus is almost never transmitted through household contact, unless you come into close contact (kissing, sex) with a carrier of the virus.

In rare cases, HPV can be passed from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.

Who can get infected with HPV?

This virus is very common. The vast majority of sexually active women will sooner or later become infected with HPV. But the good news is that in most of these women, HPV will be cleared by the immune system and will not cause any disease.

Only in rare cases does the papilloma virus remain in the body for a long time and cause health problems.

What types of HPV are there and why does it matter?

In total, there are more than 120 types of HPV and about 70 of them have been properly studied. Depending on how often a particular type of virus causes cancer, there are 2 groups of HPV: papillomaviruses of high oncogenic risk and low oncogenic risk.

High oncogenic risk HPV includes the following types: HPV 16, HPV 18, HPV 31, HPV 33, HPV 35, HPV 39, HPV 45, HPV 51, HPV 52, HPV 56, HPV 58, HPV 59, HPV 68

HPV of low oncogenic risk is: HPV 6, HPV 11, HPV 42, HPV 43, HPV 44

Non-oncogenic HPVs (non-cancer causing): HPV 1, HPV 2, HPV 3, HPV 4, HPV 5, HPV 10, HPV 27, HPV 53, HPV 54, HPV 55, HPV 62, HPV 67

Among the papillomaviruses of high oncogenic risk, types 3 are the most dangerous, since they cause cervical cancer in 94% of cases: these are HPV 16, HPV 18 and, to a lesser extent, HPV 45. Among these three types of HPV, type 16 is the most dangerous, since it poses the greatest carcinogenic risk (more often than others it causes the formation cancer cells in organism).

What diseases can HPV cause?

Different types of HPV can cause different diseases.

	What diseases can they cause?
HPV 1, HPV 2, HPV 4	Heel warts, common warts
HPV 3, HPV 10, HPV 28, HPV 49	Flat warts
HPV 6, HPV 11, HPV 30	Genital warts (condylomas), laryngeal warts (laryngeal papillomas, laryngeal papillomatosis)
HPV 16, HPV 18, HPV 31, HPV 33, HPV 35, HPV 39, HPV 52, HPV 56, HPV 58	Cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer
HPV 26, HPV 29, HPV 57	Common warts
	Common warts, flat warts
HPV 34, HPV 55	Rarely precancerous changes
	Common warts, flat warts, genital warts
	Genital warts (condylomas), rarely precancerous changes
HPV 40, HPV 43, HPV 44, HPV 54	Genital warts
	Genital warts, cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer

How dangerous is HPV for women?

As a rule, infection with the human papillomavirus occurs unnoticed by a woman, and just as imperceptibly, this virus disappears from the body thanks to the work of the immune system. In 90% of cases, after infection, the virus disappears from the body on its own within several months or years, leaving no consequences.

According to statistics, only 5% of women infected with HPV will have pronounced changes in the cervix (grade 2 or 3 dysplasia) after 3 years.

Only 20% of women with grade 3 dysplasia will develop cervical cancer over the next 5 years.

What symptoms does HPV cause in women?

Duration incubation period(time from infection to the appearance of the first symptoms) with HPV infection depends on the type of HPV and on some other factors. For example, from the moment of infection with HPV type 6 or 11 until the appearance of genital warts, an average of 3 weeks to 8 months passes. From the moment of infection with HPV type 16 or 18 to the development of cervical cancer, it can take 10-20 years or more.

In most cases, HPV infection is asymptomatic. However, human papillomavirus may present with the following symptoms:

• Appearance of (genital warts).
• Appearing after sex or for no apparent reason.

During a gynecological examination, your doctor may notice signs of cervical dysplasia or cancer. On early stages The gynecologist may not notice any changes in the cervix, so it is very important for all women to take regular tests.

Diagnosis of HPV in women

HPV testing is one component of cervical cancer screening. Every woman over 30 years of age is recommended to get tested for HPV and repeat it periodically every 3-5 years.

There are two main methods for detecting HPV in the body:

PCR for human papillomavirus

This is a qualitative analysis that allows you to determine only the presence or absence of HPV in the body, but does not determine the number of viral particles (viral load). WITH using PCR you can determine the type of papilloma virus (HPV genotyping) and identify the most dangerous (oncogenic) types of HPV.

The test can be performed using blood (HPV blood test) or smears from the cervix and cervical canal. A gynecologist or oncologist interprets the results.

Hybrid capture method, also called Digene HPV test, HPV DNA test

This is newer and effective method diagnosis of HPV infection, which has a number of advantages compared to PCR. The HPV DNA test requires a scraping from the cervix or cervical canal.

This HPV test is considered quantitative because it allows you to determine the concentration of the virus in the test material (HPV viral load). This test, like PCR, allows you to type HPV (determine the types of identified viruses).

Only a gynecologist or oncologist can decipher the results of this test, but in this article we will present the main meanings of the possible results:

Parameter under study	Result (quantitation)	What does this mean
A9 (HPV 16, HPV 31, HPV 33, HPV 35, HPV 52, HPV 58) A7 (HPV 18, HPV 39, HPV 45, HPV 59, HPV 68) A5/A6 (HPV 51, HPV 56)	No DNA found	There are no HPV types of these types in the body
	less than 3 Lg (HPV/10^5 cells) – clinically insignificant amount of HPV	There are HPV types of the indicated types in the body, but their number is very small and therefore they cannot cause any diseases
	3 - 5 Lg (HPV/10^5 cells) – clinically significant amount of HPV	There are HPV types of the indicated types in the body and their quantity is sufficient to cause the disease
	more than 5 Lg (HPV/10^5 cells) – increased viral load	There are HPV types of the indicated types in the body and their number is so high that there is a high risk of serious consequences

In addition to HPV testing, cervical cancer screening also includes. If you have been diagnosed with high-risk HPV and/or cytology reveals suspicious changes, your doctor may recommend further testing:

Colposcopy

Colposcopy is an examination of the cervix using a special apparatus that works as magnifying glass. There is a separate article on our website dedicated to.

Cervical biopsy

How often should you get tested for HPV?

In order not to miss a dangerous HPV infection, all women are recommended to regularly undergo HPV tests and cytology smears.

Women under 30:

If tests for high-risk HPV are negative, then the next test should be done in 3-5 years.

If tests for high-risk HPV are positive and the cytology smear is normal, then a repeat examination is carried out after 9-12 months.

If tests for high-risk HPV are positive and the cytology smear is abnormal, then further diagnostics (colposcopy, cervical biopsy) are required. Depending on the results of these examinations, the doctor gives appropriate recommendations.

Women over 30 years old:

If tests for high-risk HPV are negative, the cytology smear is normal, then the next examination should be done in 5 years.

If tests for high-risk HPV are positive, a colposcopy and, if necessary, a cervical biopsy are required. Depending on the results of these examinations, the doctor gives appropriate recommendations.

Women over 65 years of age:

If the last 2 tests for high-risk HPV and the last 2 smears for cytology were normal, then examinations can no longer be carried out, since the risk of developing cervical cancer in the future is extremely small.

What should I do if I have been diagnosed with HPV?

Not all types of HPV can cause dangerous diseases, so first of all, check with your doctor how great the threat is in your situation.

HPV prevention

The main route of infection with the human papillomavirus is unprotected sex. Use helps significantly reduce the risk of HPV infection, although condoms do not provide a 100% guarantee of protection.

The more sexual partners a woman has had in her life, the higher the risk of becoming infected with HPV. Permanent monogamous relationships significantly reduce the risk of HPV infection.

Currently, there are vaccinations against human papillomavirus: Gardasil and Cervarix. The vaccine is effective against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 (protects against cervical cancer and genital warts), and the Cervarix vaccine is effective against HPV types 16 and 18 (protects against cervical cancer, but not against genital warts).