What is the best method to detect HPV?

Pap testing (Papanicolau testing) is one of the mandatory annual medical examinations every woman should do it, whether or not infected with HPV. However, the detection of oncogenic risk HPV strains becomes mandatory if the smear shows changes, or if you are older than thirty.

The Pap test can detect any precancerous cell abnormalities in the cervix. These changes are, in most cases, the result of HPV infection. In other words, the conventional Pap test collected (the blade, where the download harvested approximately 40% of cells) is seen indirectly human papilloma virus infection.

Cytology in liquid medium simultaneously detect and type HPV

Currently, there is a new technique of Babes-Papanicolau examination. After harvesting, the sample is introduced into a liquid container. Thus, fluid is discharged over 90% of harvested cells. This test is more expensive than conventional harvesting, but has the advantage that, through it, you can perform both Pap screening and HPV detection as well.

If, for example, conventional harvesting have been the result of ASC-US (cells of unknown origin), it is useful to conduc the sample liquid medium as well. The new test has the advantage of separately identifying HPV genotypes 16 and 18, which are responsible for approximately 70% of invasive cervical cancers.

Getting a negative result to both tests give assurance that the risk of cervical cancer is very low unidentified. Cytology in the liquid medium is a new technique, which is made in Romania in few centers. It still prefer classic samples collected (the blade), and if they are suspected to recommend HPV detection by PCR.