Genital HPV infection is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Human papillomavirus is the name of a group of viruses that includes more than 100 different strains or types. More than 30 of these viruses are sexually transmitted, and they can infect the genital area of men and women including the skin of the penis, vulva (area outside the vagina), or anus, and the linings of the vagina, cervix, or rectum.

A human papillomavirus (HPV) test is done to find a high-risk HPV infection in women. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). An HPV test checks for the genetic material (DNA) of the human papillomavirus. Like a Pap test, an HPV test is done on a sample of cells collected from the cervix.

Most HPV infections are transient. A small, but still significant, number of HPV infections progress to cervical cancer. HPV DNA based detection methods can identify presence of the virus, but they cannot identify oncogenic activity. It is the expression of viral oncoproteins E6 and E7, affecting cell cycle control that initiates the cervical cancer process. The detection of E6/E7 mRNA confirms the persistent expression of viral oncoproteins in human cells.

Historically, HPV 18 has been regarded at high risk cancer associated HPV Types 31 33 and 35 have been demonstrated to have an intermediate association with cancer. This intermediate association is due to the fact that these type of more frequently detected high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions rather than the cancers. Detection of any of the five HPV types (16, 18, 31, 33 and 45) will identify most of the carcinoma cases worldwide.

Algorithm of HPV DNA Analysis used along with Cytology

An overview of the Eastern Biotech HPV DNA test and LBC

1. A single cervical sample is sufficient for analysis

2. High sensitivity

3. High Risk viral types screened: 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68

4. Low Risk viral types are also screened: 6, 11, 42, 43, 44/55

5. If one or more of the five subtypes (16, 18, 31, 33 or 45) are positive, reflex testing by mRNA will be undertaken to detect viral E6/E7 oncogene expression.

6. Determines the indications for Colposcopy

7. More immediate results than repeated cytology

8. Minimizes risk of false diagnosis' of Cervical Cancer

9. Predicts the risk of progression to a more severe disease

10. Results are free from observational error, giving you the confidence to make a diagnosis that correlates accurately with the corresponding Pap Smear.