General practitioners may improve cervical screening equality in France.

BACKGROUND: Vulnerable social groups have greater difficulty in accessing care and a lower quality of care. Health systems focused on primary care appear to be more effective, efficient and equitable. However, difficulties in accessing primary care are persisting. We focused on primary care screening for cervical cancer through Cervico-Uterine Smear (CUS), which has been shown to be effective in reducing disease incidence and mortality. In this study, we aimed to investigate the characteristics of women who undergo CUS according to the category of health professionals (general practitioners or gynaecologists) performing CUS and to analyse potential differences in access to care in terms of socioeconomic and geographical characteristics. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study based on data from the main health insurance schemes in France, allowing analysis of health care consumption according to socioeconomic levels and proximity to health care services. We included women aged 25 to 64 years in 2012 for whom CUS would be a relevant procedure (695,694). The sociodemographic and territorial indicators were age, geographical area deprivation, and the availability of gynaecological care. The analysis was performed using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 202,271 (29%) patients underwent CUS; of whom 68% underwent CUS administered by gynaecologists and 28% were administered by general practitioners (GPs). However, inequalities in CUS screening rates were observed, with a decrease in the number of CUSs performed with increased age, a rural location, deprivation, and sparse health care provisions. Deprived people seemed less penalised by GPs. CONCLUSIONS: Involvement of General Practitioners may improve cervical screening equality in France. The organisation of health systems around primary care may allow a better access to care and to account for the specific needs of deprived populations.

High-risk human papillomavirus diversity among indigenous women of western Botswana with normal cervical cytology and dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer remains a public health problem despite heavy global investment in health systems especially in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC). Prophylactic vaccines against the most commonly detected human papillomavirus (HPV) types in cervical cancers are available and decisions on the selection of vaccine design depends on the prevalence of high-risk (hr) HPV genotypes for a particular region. In 2015, Botswana adopted the use of a quadrivalent HPV vaccine as a primary prevention strategy. Secondary prevention includes cervical smear screening whose uptake remains notably low among indigenous and marginalized communities despite efforts to improve access. AIM: To determine the prevalence of hrHPV genotypes and cervical lesions' burden in women from the indigenous and marginalized communities of Botswana. METHODS: This prospective survey enrolled 171 non-HPV vaccinated women aged 21 years and older. Face-to-face interviews, Pap smear screening, hr-HPV and Human Immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) testing were carried out. Conventional Papanicolau smears were analyzed and cervical brushes were preserved for hrHPV testing using the Ampfire Multiplex HR-HPV protocol which detects the following genotypes: HPV 16, 18, 31, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59 and 68. RESULTS: In this study, 168/171 (98.6%) of the women consented to HIV testing; 53/171 (31%) were living with HIV and self-reported enrolment on antiretroviral therapy. Among the women examined, 23/171 (13.5%) had cervical dysplasia with most presenting with Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance 8/23 (35%), Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions 8/23 (35%), Atypical Squamous Cells-High Grade 4/23 (17%), Atypical Endocervical Cells 2/23 (9%) and Atypical Endocervical Cell favoring neoplasia 1/23(4%). However, no High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (HSIL) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were detected. Overall hrHPV prevalence in this study was at 56/171 (32.7%). The most commonly detected hrHPV genotypes in women with cervical dysplasia were HPV39 (6.25%), HPV51 (14.5%), HPV52 (12.5%) and HPV56 (4%). Notably, HPV 16 and 18 were not found in women with cervical dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and distribution of hrHPV genotypes in indigenous and marginalized communities in Botswana, and the need for further investigation of their potential role in cervical carcinogenesis in this population. These results may also serve as baseline data to facilitate future evaluation of the HPV vaccine needs.

Prevalence and Description of High-Grade Intraepithelial Lesions of Cervical Mucosa Cells in a Screening Programme for Cervical Cancer in Isère, France.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyse high-grade intraepithelial lesions (LIEHG) observed in a screening programme from 2010 to 2018 to more accurately describe them and formulate recommendations for best practices in the context of screening evolution following the introduction of an HPV test in primary cervical cancer screening in 2020. METHODS: This study included 305,940 asymptomatic women aged 25-65 years. The eligible population was invited to undergo a screening cervico-uterine-smear every 3 years. If this smear was normal, the woman received a new invitation. In the case of a positive screen, the patient underwent further diagnostic procedures, such as colposcopy and biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Only those diagnosed with LIEHG and above proceeded to treatment. The diagnoses associated with LIEHG were those related to the WHO Classification of tumours of the uterine cervix. RESULTS: Positive smears led to the diagnosis of 3230 LIEHG. The prevalence of LIEHG in the screened population was 0.4%. The LIEHG distribution varied significantly according to the age of the women. The probability of diagnosing LIEHG in young women was 12.2% at 25-29 years. This probability decreased by half after 50 years. We observed that the type of smear was significantly associated with LIEHG detection. The positive predictive value for diagnosing LIEHG was 70.3% for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) smears and 35.1% for atypical squamous cells cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H) smears. CONCLUSION: In the study population, the prevalence of LIEHG was high in women under 35 years. Low-grade smears were correlated with the risk of LIEHG and should prompt screening facilities to allocate resources to ensure active follow-up of LSIL and ASC-US smears. Adherence to cytological screening recommendations was associated with a reduced risk of LIEHG in multivariate analysis.

Cost-Effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Cytology in a Primary hrHPV-Based Cervical Cancer Screening Programme.

BACKGROUND: Computer-assisted screening (CAS) shows equal performance compared to manual screening, although results are heterogeneous. Furthermore, using CAS may save costs through a potentially increased screening productivity of technicians, therefore also offering a solution for temporary and structural capacity shortage. We evaluated the circumstances under which CAS will be cost-effective compared to manual cytology triage in a primary HPV-based cervical screening programme. METHODS: Microsimulation model MISCAN-Cervix was used to evaluate 198 different CAS scenarios with varying probabilities to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN1) and CIN3 and cost reductions per test, compared to manual cytology triage. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated by costs per (quality-adjusted) life year ((QA)LY) gained. RESULTS: CAS will be cost-effective in all scenarios, except for the following combinations: (1) no cost reduction and an increased probability of detecting CIN1, (2) a cost reduction of €2 per test and an increased probability of detecting CIN1 from 4% onwards or (3) a cost reduction of €4 per test and an increased probability of detecting CIN1 from 6% onwards, compared to manual cytology triage. All CAS scenarios with any reduction in the probability of detecting CIN1 (i.e., increased CIN2+ specificity), or a reduction in costs from €6 per test onwards suggested a more cost-effective strategy compared to manual cytology triage. CONCLUSION: As we based our analysis on a realistic range in costs and test performance, the implementation of CAS is likely to be cost-effective. Our results can be used as a guideline to advise when to choose CAS instead of manual cytology triage.

Enhancing pap smear image classification: integrating transfer learning and attention mechanisms for improved detection of cervical abnormalities.

Cervical cancer remains a major global health challenge, accounting for significant morbidity and mortality among women. Early detection through screening, such as Pap smear tests, is crucial for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes. However, traditional manual analysis of Pap smear images is labor-intensive, subject to human error, and requires extensive expertise. To address these challenges, automated approaches using deep learning techniques have been increasingly explored, offering the potential for enhanced diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. This research focuses on improving cervical cancer detection from Pap smear images using advanced deep-learning techniques. Specifically, we aim to enhance classification performance by leveraging Transfer Learning (TL) combined with an attention mechanism, supplemented by effective preprocessing techniques. Our preprocessing pipeline includes image normalization, resizing, and the application of Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG), all of which contribute to better feature extraction and improved model performance. The dataset used in this study is the Mendeley Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC) dataset, which provides a comprehensive collection of cervical cytology images annotated by expert cytopathologists. Initial experiments with the ResNet model on raw data yielded an accuracy of 63.95%. However, by applying our preprocessing techniques and integrating an attention mechanism, the accuracy of the ResNet model increased dramatically to 96.74%. Further, the Xception model, known for its superior feature extraction capabilities, achieved the best performance with an accuracy of 98.95%, along with high precision (0.97), recall (0.99), and F1-Score (0.98) on preprocessed data with an attention mechanism. These results underscore the effectiveness of combining preprocessing techniques, TL, and attention mechanisms to significantly enhance the performance of automated cervical cancer detection systems. Our findings demonstrate the potential of these advanced techniques to provide reliable, accurate, and efficient diagnostic tools, which could greatly benefit clinical practice and improve patient outcomes in cervical cancer screening.

Economic Evaluation of Cervical Cancer Screening by HPV DNA, VIA, and Pap smear Methods in Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer occurs 80% in developing country including Indonesia and take place in the first rank of incidence rate and third rank in mortality rate in Asian Pacific. Natural history of cervical cancer gives a potential to get accurate screening method. Cervical cancer screening m in Indonesia use VIA and Pap smear method for women in age range 30 to 50 years old. Recently, HPV DNA test has been recommended in international and national policy as primary screening method for cervical cancer. This research aims to  asses cost-effectiveness and economic implications of specific cervical cancer screening modalities. METHODS: Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted from societal perspective. Cost data was collected from four hospitals in Indonesia. Direct medical costs were derived from discussions with an expert panel and hospital billing data, aligning with current practice guidelines. Direct and indirect non-medical costs were estimated from patient interviews. Effectiveness data for the screening methods were extracted from a systematic review of existing literature. Markov model design was used for cost-effectiveness analysis. Budget impact analysis used healthcare perspective method from its billing for cervical cancer patients. RESULTS: Cervical cancer screening costs are calculated using direct medical, non-medical, and indirect expenses. Regarding to cost-effective analysis by incremental cost-effective ratio (ICER), pap smear for every 3 and 5 years is more cost-effective than VIA. HPV DNA also has the potential to be cost-effective. The budget impact analysis investigates scenarios, with a focus on negotiation-based cost reductions for HPV DNA testing. Controlling HPV DNA tariffs at USD 8.76 proves cost-effective. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, pap smear is the most cost-effective modality, while HPV DNA has the potential to be cost-effective by reducing the unit cost. Despite favorable outcomes, challenges in implementation suggest a phased approach for resource equalization before full deployment.

Human Papillomavirus, Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia, and Quantitative Blood Loss at Delivery.

Studies using estimated blood loss show the association of either human papillomavirus (HPV) or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). We study the association of HPV or CIN with either blood loss or PPH as measured by the more precise measure of quantitative blood loss (QBL). We retrospectively studied 2,334 peripartum women with a documented Pap smear prior to de- livery. The main predictor variable had categories for HPV and CIN as compared to normal cytology. Covariates included demographics, medical/surgical history, and pregnancy variables. Model 1 included the whole sample. Model 2 included only those with an operative vaginal delivery or a cesarean delivery. Outcome measures were QBL and PPH measured by QBL. We found in model 1 that those HPV positive and those with CIN were each not significantly associated with QBL. In model 2, those HPV positive were significantly associated with increased QBL (B = 0.11, SE = 0.05, p = 0.047), while CIN was not significantly associated with QBL. In model 1, those HPV positive and those with CIN were each not significantly associated with PPH. In model 2, those HPV positive were significantly associated with increased odds for PPH (OR:11.03, 9% CI:1.77, 68.74, p = 0.01) while CIN was not significantly associated with PPH. In conclusion, the presence of HPV was positively associated with an increase in the QBL and PPH at time of delivery for those with operative vaginal and cesarean deliveries. We suggest that clinicians take HPV results of Pap smears into consideration when considering a patient's risk of PPH.

Comment on: Effect of Pap Smear Cytology, HPV Genotyping On the Concordance of Colposcopy and Conization Results.

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HPV self-collection for cervical cancer screening among survivors of sexual trauma: a qualitative study.

Intimate partner violence affects 20-30% of women in the United States. Disparities in routine cervical cancer surveillance have been demonstrated in certain populations, including victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). This study examined and assessed the acceptability of high-risk HPV (hrHPV) self-collection among individuals who have experienced IPV. We conducted an observational study using qualitative data collection and analysis. We interviewed individuals with a history of IPV and who currently reside in Oregon. This study identified key themes describing knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer screening for individuals who have experienced IPV. They include: guideline knowledge, prior office-based cervical cancer screening experience, barriers to cervical cancer screening, at-home hrHPV self-collection experience, and testing confidence. Participants experienced fewer barriers and expressed increased comfort and control with hrHPV self-collection process. Individuals with a history of IPV have lower rates of cervical cancer screening adherence and higher rates of cervical dysplasia and cancer than other populations. The patient-centered approach of hrHPV self-collection for cervical cancer screening can reduce barriers related to the pelvic exam and empower patients to reduce their risks of developing cervical cancer by enabling greater control of the testing process.

Assessment of psychological distress in patients with cervical dysplasia according to age, education, information acquisition and information level.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the psychological distress experienced by patients with an initial diagnosis of abnormal Pap smears or dysplastic changes of the cervix uteri. It investigated whether patients' age, education, information level and approach to information acquisition have an impact on their psychological distress. METHODS: A total of 364 female patients, aged 20-80 years, referred to the special dysplasia consultation hour at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wuerzburg, completed a questionnaire containing validated items to assess information level, information acquisition, information needs and psychological distress, including a distress thermometer. Data from questionnaires and medical reports were used for analysis. RESULTS: The study found that 56.9% of patients experienced psychological distress before their first visit. Patients under 44 years of age, especially those with concerns about fertility and sexuality, and those with lower levels of education showed higher levels of distress (p-value = 0.018 and p-value = 0.037). 40.9% of patients felt poorly informed and 53.7% of patients wanted more information before their visit. Correlational analysis showed that the method of obtaining information correlated with the desire for more information (p-value < 0.001). Those who received information via the Internet felt less informed, wanted more information and experienced more anxiety. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the need for improved patient education strategies and effective doctor-patient communication to address the knowledge gap and reduce patient distress. In addition, healthcare providers should ensure that patients have access to reliable online resources for accurate information.

Cervical cancer screening efficacy using SurePath, ThinPrep and conventional cytology: A large data set analysis from the Japan Cancer Society.

OBJECTIVE: Over the past decade, liquid-based cytology has replaced conventional cytology for cervical cancer screening in many countries, including Japan. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of liquid-based cytology using a large database and compare two major liquid-based cytology platforms, SurePath and ThinPrep, to conventional cytology. METHODS: Cervical cancer screening data were collected from the Japan Cancer Society between 2015 and 2019. The efficacy of liquid-based and conventional cytology in detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was evaluated. Detection rates and positive predictive values were compared using a Poisson regression model. RESULTS: We collected data of 3,918,149 participants, including 2,248,202 conventional cytology, 874,807 SurePath and 795,140 ThinPrep smears. The detection rate of CIN2 or more was 1.14 times higher using SurePath than that using conventional cytology (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.20; p < 0.001). Contrastingly, the detection rate of CIN2 or more was 0.91 times lower using ThinPrep (95% CI, 0.86-0.96; p < 0.001). The detection rates of CIN3 or more did not differ significantly between SurePath and conventional cytology (detection rate ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.97-1.12; p = 0.224). The positive predictive value ratios of CIN2 or more were 0.80 using SurePath (95% CI, 0.76-0.84; p < 0.001) and 0.83 using ThinPrep (95% CI, 0.79-0.87; p < 0.001) compared with conventional cytology. CONCLUSIONS: Liquid-based cytology, particularly SurePath, was useful for detecting CIN2 or higher in population-based cervical cancer screening. Further widespread use of liquid-based cytology methods would lead to efficient detection of cervical precancerous lesions.

Impact of STIs on cervical cancer screening: Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) positive women in Mozambique.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer, primarily from HPV, is prevalent in countries like Mozambique, with HIV individuals at higher risk. The Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) screening method can be influenced by STIs like Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). This study examines CT and NG prevalence in HIV-positive and negative women using VIA in Mozambique's DREAM program. METHODS: In this cross-sectional research conducted at a DREAM program facility in Maputo from 01/07/2021 to 31/05/2022, cervical specimens were taken from VIA-positive patients. CT/NG testing was performed using the Cobas® 4800 DNA CT/NG test. Statistical analyses focused on associations and prevalence rates, considering demographic, clinical, and exposure data. RESULTS: Among 117 women, we observed a CT prevalence of 6.8% (8/117) and an NG prevalence of 2.6%(3/117). No significant associations between CT/NG infection rates and factors such as age, HIV status, VIA results, or high-risk HPV (hrHPV) was observed. We found a 47% prevalence of hrHPV infections among participants with cervical lesions; no significant association between hrHPV and CT/NG infections was observed. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the prevalence of CT and NG in VIA-positive women in Mozambique, emphasizing the STI burden and suggesting integration of STI screening in cervical cancer prevention strategies.

The association between affordable care act implementation and the prevalence of women having ever received a Pap smear.

BACKGROUND: To assess if implementation of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was associated with changes in the prevalence of women having ever received a pap smear. METHODS: This study utilised the publicly available Centre for Disease Control National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) data set. This was a serial cross-sectional study. The comparison groups were defined as women who received cancer screening and prevention interventions prior to full implementation of the ACA (2011-2013) and post full implementation (2017-2019). The primary outcome was self-reporting receipt of a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear. Secondary outcomes included HPV vaccination and mammogram rates. Anonymized patient information was collected from the nationally representative dataset, and analyses were performed utilising STATA 18. RESULTS: The two study cohorts obtained from the NSFG included women who responded in 2011-2013 (n = 5601), deemed to be 'Pre-ACA implementation' (Pre ACA), and those who responded in 2017-2019 (n = 6141) 'Post-ACA implementation' (Post ACA). The proportion of women who were 21 years and older and ever had a Pap smear in the Pre ACA group (96.0%) was higher than that of the Post ACA group (94.1%) (OR 0.66 (0.49-0.91)). In contrast, HPV vaccination rates rose, and mammogram rates remained stable in the Post ACA period. CONCLUSION: A decrease in proportion of women ever having had a Pap smear despite implementation of health policies to increase access to preventive measures suggests further interventions to improve access to cervical cancer screening are warranted.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was implemented in 2014, aimed to reform health care access. This serial cross-sectional study demonstrated that the number of women age 21 or older who had ever received a pap smear fell after the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The role of endocervical curettage in the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in human papillomavirus positive patients.

BACKGROUND: The role of endocervical curettage (ECC) in the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a controversial topic. OBJECTIVES: Investigate the role of ECC in the diagnosis of CIN in human papillomavirus (HPV) positive patients. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: A tertiary training and research hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included patients who were referred for colposcopy between 2018-2022 because of abnormal screening results. ECC results, age, cytology, HPV status, and colposcopic impression of the patients were extracted from the medical records. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors that could predict CIN on ECC. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: The likelihood of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) in ECC in patients with cervical biopsy results of normal and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL). SAMPLE SIZE: 2895 women. RESULTS: In patients with normal and LSIL cervical biopsy results, HSILs were detected in 6.7% of ECC results. There was no difference in the detection rates of CIN in ECC among groups with smear results negative for intraepithelial lesions or malignancy (NILM), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), and LSIL. The likelihood of HSIL being observed in ECC was 2.2 times higher in patients with HPV16. The probability of LSIL disanois was 2.3 times higher in women aged 50-59 years and 2.8 times higher in women ≥ 60 years compared to the reference group of <30 years. The probability of LSIL was 2.3 and HSIL by ECC was 2.2 times higher in both age categories (P<.012 and P=.032, respectively) than the reference group of <30 years. CONCLUSION: Regardless of colposcopic findings, ECC should be performed in patients with smear results of NILM who are positive for HPV16, in patients with smear results of ASC-US and LSIL who are positive for any oncogenic type of HPV and in patients 50 and above with any result of smear or any oncogenic HPV type. LIMITATIONS: We did not have the components of the HPV types in mixed groups.

Knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer and human papillomavirus vaccination among female university students.

BACKGROUND:  Prevention strategies for reducing cervical cancer incidence rely on informed populations, particularly those most at risk. This study assesses the knowledge and awareness of female university students towards cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV) and its vaccination. METHODS:  A validated self-administered questionnaire was used in a descriptive cross-sectional study among female university students. The data were analysed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26, and p  0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS:  The total participants were 190 with a mean age of 22.6 ± 4.35 years. The majority (90%) were aware of cervical cancer, and 78.9% agreed it is a terminal illness, but fewer participants knew it was associated with infection (63.7%), and that it had effective risk-reducing methods (70.5%). Only 32.6% were aware of the Pap smear test, less than half (43.2%) were aware of the cervical cancer vaccine and only 43.7% knew it was available locally. Although fewer (39.5%) considered themselves susceptible to cervical cancer, many (62.1%) would like a Pap smear test. Overall, 88.9% of the participants possessed adequate knowledge of cervical cancer, 67.9% of the HPV vaccine and only 33.7% of HPV. Ethnicity (p = 0.03), year of study (p = 0.001) and institution (p = 0.002) were all significantly associated with knowledge levels, vaccine awareness and Pap smear test awareness. CONCLUSION:  Participants showed low HPV knowledge and varying awareness levels regarding cervical cancer, HPV and HPV vaccine.Contribution: This study provides insights into female university students' knowledge and awareness gaps, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Randomized experimental population-based study to evaluate the acceptance and completion of and preferences for cervical cancer screening.

Cervical cancer has high incidence and mortality rates, especially in less-developed countries. Prevention methods are well established, but there are still barriers preventing some Brazilian women from undergoing a Pap sample. The objective of the study was to evaluate the acceptance, preferences and completion of four screening methods. This has an experimental design (community trial). A total of 164 participants who had never had a Pap sample or had not had one for more than three years were included. The city's urban area was stratified by census tracts and divided according to income and education levels. Women belonging to the lower-income strata were considered in the study. Random blocks were numbered into five intervention groups (Group 1- Pap sample at the hospital; Group 2- Pap sample in the mobile unit; Group 3- urine self-collection; Group 4- vaginal self-collection; Group 5- woman's choice). Only 164 women met all of the eligibility criteria (15.3%). Most of them accepted the assigned method (92%), but only 84% of the women completed the collection step. The acceptance rates were as follows: Group 1 (100%), Group 2 (64.5%), Group 3 (100%) and Group 4 (91.4%). In Group 5, the women's preferences were distributed as follows: examination performed at the hospital, 13 women (33.3%); examination performed at the mobile unit, 11 women (28.2%); urine self-collection, 11 women (28.2%); and vaginal self-collection, 4 women (10.3%). This study suggests that methods that allow cervical sampling collected near the women's domicile might improve the acceptance and completion of preventive tests. This finding is relevant for the development of new cervical cancer screening strategies.

High-risk human papillomavirus infection and cervical cytopathology: relationship with cervical nitric oxide levels.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) may contribute to the persistence of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection, which has been linked to the development of premalignant lesions and cervical cancer. Our study aimed to examine the relationship between cervical NO metabolite (NOx) levels, hrHPV infection, and cytopathological findings. Additionally, we assessed cervical NOx levels as a biomarker for predicting hrHPV infection and epithelial atypia. METHODS: The study involved 74 women who attended the Gynecology and Obstetrics outpatient clinics at Cairo University Hospitals between November 2021 and August 2022. Cervical samples were subjected to Pap testing, assessment of NOx levels by the Griess method, and detection of hrHPV DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: High-risk HPV was detected in 37.8% of women. EA was found in 17.1% of cases, with a higher percentage among hrHPV-positive than negative cases (35.7% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.001). The most prevalent hrHPV genotype was HPV 16 (89.3%). The cervical NOx level in hrHPV-positive cases was significantly higher (37.4 µmol/mL, IQR: 34.5-45.8) compared to negative cases (2.3 µmol/mL, IQR: 1.2-9.8) (p = < 0.001). Patients with high-grade atypia showed significantly higher NOx levels (38.0 µmol/mL, IQR: 24.6-94.7) in comparison to NILM and low-grade atypia cases (5.0 µmol/mL, IQR: 1.6-33.3 and 34.5 µmol/mL, IQR: 11.7-61.7, respectively) (p = 0.006). Although the NOx levels among hrHPV-positive cases with low-grade atypia (40.4 µmol/mL, IQR: 33.3‒61.8) were higher than those with NILM (36.2 µmol/mL, IQR: 35.7‒44.0) and high-grade atypia (38.0 µmol/mL, IQR: 24.6‒94.7), the difference was not significant (p = 0.771). ROC curve analysis indicated that the cervical NOx cut-off values of > 23.61 µmol/mL and > 11.35 µmol/mL exhibited good diagnostic accuracy for the prediction of hrHPV infection and EA, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of hrHPV infection, particularly HPV 16, in our hospital warrants targeted treatment and comprehensive screening. Elevated cervical NOx levels are associated with hrHPV infection and high-grade atypia, suggesting their potential use as biomarkers for predicting the presence of hrHPV and abnormal cytological changes.

HPV specificity and multiple infections and association with cervical cytology in Chongqing, China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: It is important to assess the relationship between specific HPV genotype or multiple infection and cervical cytology. The protection provided by the HPV vaccine is type-specific, and the epidemiology feature of coinfections needs to be investigated. The aim is to provide baseline information for developing HPV vaccination and management of HPV-positive populations in the region. METHODS: A total of 3649 HPV-positive women were collected from 25,572 women who underwent 15 HR-HPV genotypes and ThinPrep cytologic test (TCT) results. Logistic regression was used to determine the correlation between the risk of cytology abnormalities and specific HPV infection. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) to assess coinfection patterns for the common two-type HPV infections. chi-squared test was used to estimate the relationship between single or multiple HPV (divided into species groups) infection and cytology results. RESULTS: The results showed there was a positive correlation between HPV16 (OR = 4.742; 95% CI 3.063-7.342) and HPV33 (OR = 4.361; 95% CI 2.307-8.243) infection and HSIL positive. There was a positive correlation between HPV66 (OR = 2.445; 95% CI 1.579-3.787), HPV51 (OR = 1.651; 95% CI 1.086-2.510) and HPV58(OR = 1.661; 95% CI 1.166-2.366) infection and LSIL. Multiple HPV infections with α9 species (OR = 1.995; 95% CI 1.101-3.616) were associated with a higher risk of high-grade intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) compared with single HPV infection. There were positive correlations between HPV66 and HPV56 (α6) (OR = 3.321; 95% CI 2.329-4.735) and HPV39 and HPV68 (α7). (OR = 1.677; 95% CI 1.127-2.495). There were negative correlations between HPV52, 58, 16 and the other HPV gene subtypes. CONCLUSION: HPV33 may be equally managed with HPV16. The management of multiple infections with α9 may be strengthened. The 9-valent vaccine may provide better protection for the population in Chongqing currently. The development of future vaccines against HPV51 and HPV66 may be considered in this region.