HPV Test

Cervical cancer is one of the best understood and most preventable cancers. Because of its' slow progression, cytologically identifiable precursors and effective treatments, annual Pap cervical cytology screening has dramatically helped reduce cervical cancer rates through the detection of premalignant lesions. Despite the successes of using the Pap test as a cervical cancer screening method, cytology is not foolproof. Abnormal cells may be missed or may not be seen early enough to prevent cervical cancer. However, an increasing knowledge of the interaction between human papillomavirus (HPV) and the development of cervical cancer has impacted screening practices.

Infection of the uterine cervix with a "high-risk" HPV type is the primary cause of cervical cancer. HPV infections are very common in sexually active women and most infections self resolve before causing any symptoms or problems. Persistent, high-risk HPV infection can cause cell changes leading to cervical cancer. HPV is transmitted through sexual contact; it can remain dormant in cervical cells and reactivate years after the initial infection.

Combining an HPV test along with a Pap test increases screening accuracy to identify nearly all women at risk. For women 30 years of age and older (the age group most at risk for developing cervical cancer) cervical cancer screening guidelines recommend an HPV test at the same time as the Pap. Women under 30 should have the HPV test if their Pap results are inconclusive (not clearly normal, but not definitely abnormal either). Together with a Pap, an HPV test can help determine if the woman is at risk and needs to be further examined.

EPI is the first in the region to offer the Cervista™ HPV high risk test. The test uses cervical samples collected with liquid pap collection fluid. Cervista™ HPV HR is a qualitative, in vitro diagnostic test for the detection of DNA from 14 high-risk HPV types, namely, types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68. Besides the addition of the 66 subtype to the high risk panel, Cervista™ HPV HR provides 100% detection of CIN3+, 99.1 % negative predictive value (NPV) for CIN2+, no cross-reactivity with common low-risk HPV types, and an internal control which prevents the reporting of false-negatives due to insufficient cellularity. Testing is performed daily and can be ordered alone, reflexive, or regardless of Pap diagnosis.