Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T C Wright

Publications and source records attributed to T C Wright.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Human papillomavirus DNA testing for cervical cancer screening in low-resource settings.

BACKGROUND: In many low-resource settings, there are barriers to cytologic screening for cervical cancer. This study evaluates human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing as an alternative screening method. METHODS: Cervical samples from 2944 previously unscreened South African women aged 35-65 years were tested for high-risk types of HPV with the use of the Hybrid Capture I (HCI) assay. Women also had a Pap smear, direct visual inspection of the cervix, and Cervicography(TM). Women positive on any screening test were referred for colposcopy. Samples from women with biopsy-confirmed, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) (n = 95), high-grade SILs (n = 74), or invasive cervical cancer (n = 12) and a random sample of women with no cervical disease (n = 243) were retested for HPV DNA with the use of the more sensitive Hybrid Capture II (HCII) assay. All P values are two-sided. RESULTS: High-risk HPV DNA was detected in 73.3% and 88.4% of 86 women with high-grade SIL or invasive cancer and in 12.2% of 2680 and 18.1% of 243 women without evidence of cervical disease, with the use of the HCI and HCII assays, respectively. HPV DNA testing with the HCII assay was more sensitive than cytology for detecting high-grade SIL and invasive cancer (McNemar's test, P =.04), and testing with the HCI assay was of equivalent sensitivity (P =.61). Cytology had a statistically significantly better specificity (96.8%) than either the HCI assay (87.8%) or the HCII assay (81.9%) (P<.01). Receiver operating characteristic curves identified test cutoff values that allow HPV DNA testing to identify 57% of women with high-grade SIL or cancer, while classifying less than 5% of women with no cervical disease as HPV DNA positive. CONCLUSIONS: HPV DNA testing has a sensitivity equivalent to, or better than, that of cytology. Since HPV DNA testing programs may be easier to implement than cytologic screening, HPV testing should be considered for primary cervical cancer screening in low-resource settings.

Adult↗

Incidence of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions in HIV-infected women.

CONTEXT: Women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at increased risk for cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs), the precursors to invasive cervical cancer. However, little is known about the causes of this association. OBJECTIVES: To compare the incidence of SILs in HIV-infected vs uninfected women and to determine the role of risk factors in the pathogenesis of such lesions. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study conducted from October 1,1991, to June 30, 1996. SETTING: Urban clinics for sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection, and methadone maintenance. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 328 HIV-infected and 325 uninfected women with no evidence of SILs by Papanicolaou test or colposcopy at study entry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Incident SILs confirmed by biopsy, compared by HIV status and risk factors. RESULTS: During about 30 months of follow-up, 67 (20%) HIV-infected and 16 (5%) uninfected women developed a SIL (incidence of 8.3 and 1.8 cases per 100 person-years in sociodemographically similar infected and uninfected women, respectively [P<.001]). Of incident SILs, 91% were low grade in HIV-infected women vs 75% in uninfected women. No invasive cervical cancers were identified. By multivariate analysis, significant risk factors for incident SILs were HIV infection (relative risk [RR], 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7-6.1), transient human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection (RR, 5.5; 95% CI, 1.4-21.9), persistent HPV DNA types other than 16 or 18 (RR, 7.6; 95% CI, 1.9-30.3), persistent HPV DNA types 16 and 18 (RR, 11.6; 95% CI, 2.7-50.7), and younger age (<37.5 years; RR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.3-3.4). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, 1 in 5 HIV-infected women with no evidence of cervical disease developed biopsy-confirmed SILs within 3 years, highlighting the importance of cervical cancer screening programs in this population.

Adult↗

HPV DNA testing of self-collected vaginal samples compared with cytologic screening to detect cervical cancer.

CONTEXT: More than half of the women diagnosed as having cervical cancer in the United States have not been screened within the last 3 years, despite many having had contact with the health care system. In many other regions of the world, there is only limited access to cervical cancer screening. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether testing of self-collected vaginal swabs for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA can be used to screen for cervical disease in women aged 35 years and older. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study comparing Papanicolaou smears with HPV DNA testing of self-collected vaginal swabs. SETTING: Outpatient clinics in a periurban settlement outside of Cape Town, South Africa, between January 1998 and April 1999. PARTICIPANTS: Screening was performed on 1415 previously unscreened black South African women aged 35 to 65 years. INTERVENTION: Women self-collected a vaginal swab for HPV testing in the clinic and were then screened using 4 different tests: Papanicolaou smear, direct visual inspection of the cervix after the application of 5% acetic acid, cervicography, and HPV DNA testing of a clinician-obtained cervical sample. Women with abnormal results on any of the screening tests were referred for colposcopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Biopsy-confirmed high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions or invasive cancer. RESULTS: High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were identified in 47 (3.4%) of 1365 women adequately assessed, and there were 9 cases of invasive cancer. Of women with high-grade disease, 66.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 52.1%-77.8%) had high risk for HPV detected in self-collected vaginal samples, and 67.9% (95% CI, 53.9%-79.4%) had an abnormal Papanicolaou smear (P = .78). The false-positive rates for HPV DNA testing of self-collected vaginal samples and Papanicolaou smears were 17.1% (95% CI, 15.1%-19.3%) and 12.3% (95% CI, 10.5%-14.2%), respectively (P<.001). A high-risk type of HPV DNA was detected in 83.9% (95% CI, 71.2%-91.9%) of women with high-grade disease and 15.5% (95% CI, 13.6%-17.7%) of women with no evidence of cervical disease using a clinician-obtained cervical sample. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that HPV testing of self-collected vaginal swabs is less specific than but as sensitive as Papanicolaou smears for detecting high-grade cervical disease in women aged 35 years and older, and HPV testing offers an important new way to increase screening in settings where cytology is not readily performed.

Adult↗

Two-stage cervical cancer screening: an alternative for resource-poor settings.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to introduce 2-stage cervical cancer screening in which 2 screening tests are performed sequentially (the second test is performed only if the first result is positive), followed by treatment if both test results are abnormal. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 1423 women from Cape Town, South Africa, were screened by direct visual inspection, human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid testing, cytologic testing, and cervicography. If an abnormality was identified with any test, women were referred for colposcopy. RESULTS: Direct visual inspection, cytologic testing, human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid testing, and cervicography, when used alone, identified 24, 26, 23, and 23 cases of disease (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or cancer) per 1000 women, respectively, and would classify 182, 71, 137, and 112 women without disease as having abnormal results. Two-stage screening with direct visual inspection first, followed by cytologic testing, human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid testing, or cervicography, would detect 18, 16, and 18 cases per 1000 women, respectively, and would substantially reduce the number of women without disease who were classified as having abnormal results. CONCLUSION: Two-stage screening for cervical cancer provides an attractive alternative to conventional screening for low-resource settings.

Adult↗

Differential subtraction chain, a method for identifying differences in genomic DNA and mRNA.

Identifying the genetic differences between two organisms or cell types has been a major goal in modern biomedical research. Recently, we developed a novel methodology that can rapidly identify the differences between two populations of DNA. This method, termed 'differential subtraction chain' (DSC), is based on a novel 'negative amplification' strategy that converts (amplifiable) tester sequences to counterpart (unamplifiable) driver sequences. The result is a double exponential elimination of amplifiable sequences in the testers, while preserving the sequences in the testers that have no counterpart in the drivers. We applied this methodology to the genome of a glioblastoma cell line. A homozygous deletion was rapidly identified. We extended this technique to identifying the unique sequences in mRNA. Two CDC25 transgene fragments were quickly identified in a cdc25B transgenic mouse. We also applied this methodology to systems with profound differences in mRNA expression. In a 'prostate epithelia subtracting blood cells' DSC reaction, a sample of unique gene fragments which are absent in the prostate but present in the blood were identified. Lastly, we detected rare (1 virus/100 cells) Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) sequences in a tissue culture, indicating good sensitivity of this methodology. Overall, DSC represents a fast, efficient and sensitive method for identifying differences in genomic DNA and mRNA and can be easily applied in a variety of biological systems.

Animals↗

Prevalence of visible disruption of cervical epithelium and cervical ectopy in African women using Depo-Provera.

Associations between Depo-Provera (injectable, progesterone-only contraceptive) use and visible disruption of cervical epithelium and cervical ectopy were investigated using data collected as part of a cervical cancer screening study in periurban Cape Town, South Africa. Women were interviewed about their contraceptive use, and underwent a gynecologic examination that included two 35-mm photographs of the cervix after application of 5% acetic acid. Photographs of 723 subjects were reviewed (blind to clinical information and using systematic criteria developed before review) for evidence of atrophy and epithelial disruption, including inflammation and ulceration. The percentage of the cervix covered with columnar epithelium (ectopy) was also estimated from the photographs. A random sample of 85 photographs was reviewed again for reliability. A total of 121 current users of Depo-Provera were no more likely to have evidence of epithelial disruption (38%) than 574 nonusers (39%), odds ratio (OR) = 1.37, 95% CI: 0.89-2.11 adjusting for age and parity. The prevalence of significant ectopy (columnar epithelium covering > 10% of the cervix) was also no different among current Depo-Provera users (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 0.80-1.86 adjusting for age and parity). Reliability of visual scoring of epithelial disruption and ectopy was excellent (kappa = 0.8). Although the underlying prevalence of visible disruption of cervical epithelium was very high, current use of Depo-Provera was not associated with increased prevalence of visible disruption of the cervical epithelium or with ectopy in this sample of African women.

Adult↗

Cervical ectopy and the transformation zone measured by computerized planimetry in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cervical ectopy and the transformation (T) zone were larger in adolescents using oral contraceptives (OCs) compared to depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). METHOD: Cervical photographs were taken on 91 adolescents in Baltimore, Maryland. Ectopy and T zone size were measured using computerized planimetry. Patients provided reproductive and sexual history. Correlates of ectopy and T zone size were identified by proportional odds and linear regression models, respectively. RESULT: Twenty-five women had no ectopy. Parity was independently associated with greater ectopy (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.37-11.11). Predictors of smaller ectopy were douching (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.09-0.65), and shorter sexual history (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.05-0.74). Neither OC or DMPA were associated with ectopy. Predictors of greater T zone size were years since menarche (13.8 mm2/year, P = 0.003) and OCs (54.7 mm2, P = 0.05). DMPA predicted a smaller T zone (-67.0 mm2, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Computerized planimetry provides standardized measurements. Douching and sexual activity may decrease ectopy through increased squamous metaplasia. Hormonal contraceptives were not associated with ectopy in adolescents. However, long-term progestin use may decrease T zone size.

Adolescent↗

Correlation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA levels in blood and the female genital tract.

In this study, the correlations of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA levels in blood plasma, vaginal secretions, and cervical mucus of 52 HIV-1-infected women were determined. The amount of cell-free HIV-1 RNA in blood plasma was correlated with that in vaginal secretions (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (r) = 0.64, P<.001). In both blood plasma and vaginal secretions, the amounts of cell-free and cell-associated HIV-1 RNA were highly correlated (r=0.76, P<.01 and r=0.85, P<.01, respectively). Cell-free HIV-1 RNA levels in blood plasma and vaginal secretions were negatively correlated with CD4+ T lymphocyte count (r=-0.44, P<.01 and r=-0.40, P<.01, respectively). Similar to the effect observed in blood plasma, initiation of antiretroviral therapy significantly reduced the amount of HIV-1 RNA in vaginal secretions. These findings suggest that factors that lower blood plasma virus load may also reduce the risk of perinatal and female-to-male heterosexual transmission by lowering vaginal virus load.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Human immunodeficiency virus infection and female lower genital tract malignancy.

The risk of lower genital tract neoplasia is increased in women infected with HIV. This has been best demonstrated in cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions, but has also been observed in vulvar and perianal intraepithelial lesions in some studies. Alterations in the prevalence and natural history of human papillomavirus infections of the lower genital tract appear to account for much of the increase. HIV-infected women are approximately four times more likely to be infected with human papillomavirus (including infection with high oncogenic risk human papillomavirus types) than are HIV-uninfected women, and these infections are more likely to be persistent. Human papilomavirus-associated lesions may be more difficult to treat in HIV-infected women. These data highlight the need to develop effective cervical cancer prevention programs for HIV-infected women.

Anus Neoplasms↗

Modeling intermittent digesta flow to calculate glucose uptake capacity of the bovine small intestine.

To test the hypothesis that the uptake capacity of the bovine small intestine for glucose is upregulated to match or slightly exceed glucose delivery, glucose was continuously infused into the proximal duodenum of four cannulated holstein heifers. Every 3 days, infusion rates were increased by an average of 34 mmol/h. A model of glucose disappearance from multiple boluses of intestinal digesta was used to estimate the transporter maximum velocity and functional maximum uptake capacity for the entire small intestine from average ileal glucose flows during the third day of each period. Because of its intermittency, digesta flow remained independent of simulated transit time. For each unit increase in glucose infusion rate, uptake capacity increased by only 0.55 units. Excess capacity for glucose uptake was approximately twofold in forage-fed cattle and declined to below delivery at infusions of >208 mmol/h added glucose, approximately three times the normal load. Calculations for cattle, sheep, and rats indicate that the glucose transport capacity of the small intestine is typically underutilized because of a fraction of time that transporters are not in contact with digesta.

Animals↗

Reflex human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid testing in women with abnormal Papanicolaou smears.

OBJECTIVE: The study examined interrelationships between sensitivity and specificity of "reflex human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid testing" from liquid-based cervical cytologic specimens by means of receiver operator characteristics curves. STUDY DESIGN: A cohort study was performed on 265 women evaluated by colposcopy because of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion found on Papanicolaou smear. RESULTS: At a positive threshold of 0.2 pg/ml (1000 copies of human papillomavirus per test), human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid testing detected 86% of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and 93% of women with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with a specificity of 30%. Decreasing the sensitivity of the human papillomavirus test to 1 pg/ml (5000 copies of human papillomavirus per test) improved the specificity of a positive result to 44% but decreased the clinical sensitivity to 78% for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or 3. Relationships between sensitivity and specificity were influenced by patient age and referral diagnosis. For example, limiting the analysis to only women with a referral for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance found on Papanicolaou smear and a positive human papillomavirus test threshold of 0.5 pg/ml produced a sensitivity of 90% for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or 3 and a test specificity of 55%. CONCLUSION: Human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid testing of residual cellular material from liquid cytologic specimens appears to be more appropriate for older women (>30 years old) and women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, as opposed to low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, on their Papanicolaou smears.

Adolescent↗

Cigarette smoking and cervical dysplasia among non-Hispanic black women.

This is the first case-control study to determine whether smoking is associated with cervical dysplasia, after adjustment for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, among a group of non-Hispanic black women. Subjects were interviewed and asked questions about smoking and other risk factors for cervical cancer. HPV infection was determined by hybrid capture. Thirty-two women with histologically confirmed incident dysplasia and 113 control women with normal cytologic smears were enrolled; all women were HIV negative. Smoking was more strongly associated with dysplasia among women with high-grade lesions than among all case women combined. After adjustment, women with high-grade lesions were roughly four times more likely to be ever (odds ratio [OR]: 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76-18.4) or current (OR: 4.3; 95% CI: 0.83-21.9) smokers, compared with control women. Larger studies among black women that control for HPV infection are needed to confirm these findings and to explore associations among black women with low-grade lesions.

Adult↗

Dietary intake and blood levels of lycopene: association with cervical dysplasia among non-Hispanic, black women.

We examined whether elevated levels of retinoids, carotenoids, folate, and vitamin E protected against cervical dysplasia among non-Hispanic, black women. We enrolled 32 women with incident cervical dysplasia, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I, CIN II, and CIN III/carcinoma in situ, and 113 control women with normal cervical cytology in case-control study. Micronutrient levels were estimated from a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and measured from blood samples. Information on risk factors for cervical neoplasia was elicited by interview. Hybrid capture was used to determine infection with human papillomavirus. After adjustment for potential confounders, analysis of micronutrient levels estimated from the FFQ suggested that women in the upper tertile of lycopene and vitamin A intake were one-third (odds ratio = 0.32, 95% confidence interval = 0.8-1.3) and one-fourth (odds ratio = 0.24, 95% confidence interval = 0.05-1.2) as likely, respectively, to have dysplasia as women in the lower tertile. Borderline protective trends (p < or = 0.10) were apparent. Elevated levels of serum lycopene also suggested some protection against dysplasia. Results were not significant at alpha = 0.05 because of the small number of case women enrolled. Overall, correlations between estimates from the FFQ and serum levels were poor. This study indicates that, among black women, lycopene and perhaps vitamin A may play a protective role in the early stages of cervical carcinogenesis.

Adolescent↗

Effects of rumen-undegradable protein and feed intake on purine derivative and urea nitrogen: comparison with predictions from the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System.

Six multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square to investigate the ability of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System to predict accurately rumen microbial yield, plasma urea N, and milk urea N. Estimations for microbial protein yield were compared with the measured excretion of purine derivative N in urine. A 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was adopted. Three concentrations of a rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) supplement (4.5, 14.9, and 29.1% of dry matter intake) and two levels of feed restriction (90 and 80% of ad libitum intake) were the corresponding factors. No effect of concentration of RUP supplement or feed restriction was detected on the excretion of purine derivative N in urine (mean, 18.5 g/d). Conversely, the Cornell system predicted a linear decrease in metabolizable protein from bacteria as the concentration of the RUP supplement increased. The Cornell system also predicted a significant reduction in metabolizable protein of microbial origin as feed restriction was increased. Measured values and values derived from the Cornell system for plasma and milk urea N increased linearly as the concentration of the RUP supplement increased. The Cornell system overpredicted milk urea N for cows consuming the highest RUP concentration. Predictions by the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System were of limited value because the empirical nature of the model is insufficiently rigorous to yield accurate predictions under the conditions described herein.

Animals↗

Effects of rumen-undegradable protein and feed intake on nitrogen balance and milk protein production in dairy cows.

An experiment was designed to determine the response of milk protein production and N utilization in dairy cows to supplementation of a predominantly rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) mixture with a fixed amino acid (AA) pattern and the response to the amount of feed intake. The experiment was designed as a 6 x 6 Latin square with a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The factors were three concentrations of RUP supplement (4.5, 14.9, and 29.1% of dry matter intake) and two levels of feed intake restriction (10 and 20%) of the basal diet. The supplement was designed to approximate a postruminal AA pattern that was similar to bovine caseins for Met, Lys, Phe, His, and Thr. Measurements were made during the last 5 d of each 21-d period. Milk protein production responded linearly as the concentration of RUP supplement in the treatment diet increased within the given range. The difference in feed intake restriction did not affect milk protein production. Efficiency of N utilization for milk production exceeded 30% for cows fed the lowest RUP supplement. Results indicated that there is an opportunity to increase milk protein production by using RUP formulations that are balanced for AA while minimizing waste N excretion.

Animal Feed↗

Triage of women with ASCUS and LSIL on Pap smear reports: management by repeat Pap smear, HPV DNA testing, or colposcopy?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a repeat Papanicolaou (Pap) smear and the Hybrid Capture tube-based (HCT) HPV DNA test for detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 or 3 in women with recent atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) Pap smear reports. METHODS: Women with a recent Pap smear report of ASCUS (n = 169) or LSIL (n = 110) had a repeat Pap smear, sampling of the cervix for HCT HPV DNA assay and a colposcopy examination. Data were evaluated using three different triage thresholds for colposcopy examination: a repeat Pap smear of persistent ASCUS or more severe dysplasia, a finding of persistent LSIL or more severe dysplasia, and a carcinogenic HPV test result. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for detecting CIN 2/3 were 70%, 45%, 7%, and 96% for a repeat Pap smear using an ASCUS-positive threshold and 20%, 86%, 8%, and 94% for a repeat Pap smear using an LSIL-positive threshold, respectively, when women with an initial ASCUS Pap smear were considered. HPV testing for carcinogenic viruses alone or in combination with a repeat Pap smear (using ASCUS as a positive threshold) yielded results of 50%, 67%, 9%, and 96%, respectively, and 70%, 37%, 7%, and 95%, respectively, for detecting CIN 2/3. In women with an initial LSIL Pap smear, respective values for detecting CIN 2/3 by a repeat Pap smear with an ASCUS threshold were 92%, 26%, 14%, and 96%, and for an LSIL threshold 23%, 64%, 8%, and 86%, respectively. Hybrid Capture HPV testing alone or in combination with a repeat Pap smear yielded 69%, 43%, 14%, and 91%, respectively, and 100%, 21%, 14%, and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A Pap smear triage threshold restricted to LSIL or more severe dysplasia for women with prior ASCUS or LSIL Pap smear results was clearly ineffective for detecting high-grade cervical precancerous lesions. In contrast, when the repeat Pap smear triage threshold was expanded to include persistent ASCUS as abnormal, 83% of the women with CIN 2/3 were detected. Detection of carcinogenic HPV DNA using the HCT test was almost as sensitive for detecting CIN 2/3 as a solitary repeat Pap smear using an ASCUS or more severe positive threshold. Combining the HPV test with a repeat Pap smear did not significantly improve the sensitivity of cytology for detecting high-grade CIN. This study suggests that women with ASCUS and particularly LSIL Pap smears should be referred for a colposcopy examination until better triage methods become available.

Adult↗

Comparison of two tests for detecting carcinogenic HPV in women with Papanicolaou smear reports of ASCUS and LSIL.

BACKGROUND: The detection of cancer-associated types of human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical specimens predicts the presence and future development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The purposes of this study were (1) to determine the efficacy of a second-generation assay by hybrid capture (HC II) to detect carcinogenic HPV from residual cervical cells of a liquid-based cervical cytologic specimen, and (2) to compare the performance of this second-generation test with the first-generation hybrid capture (HCT) HPV test of material from direct cervical sampling to detect CIN in women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) Papanicolaou (Pap) smear reports. METHODS: Women with a recent Pap smear report of ASCUS or LSIL had a sampling of the cervix using either an Ayre's spatula and cytobrush or an Accellon device sampling for liquid-based cytologic system HC II HPV testing, followed by a Dacron swab sampling of the cervix for standard HCT HPV testing of the paired specimens. All women received colposcopy examinations including cervical biopsy and endocervical curettage, when indicated, to determine criterion standards for comparison. RESULTS: Paired swabs and liquid-based cervical specimens from 242 women were available for testing by standard HCT and the newer HC II HPV DNA assays. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for detecting CIN grade 2 or 3 (CIN 2/3) were 61.9%, 57.0%, 12.0%, and 94.0%, respectively, for the HCT test, and 90.5%, 29.4%, 10.9%, and 97.0%, respectively, for the liquid-based cytology HC II assay. When only women with an initial ASCUS Pap smear report were considered, the HC II test results were 88.9%, 40.3%, 9.1%, and 98.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Testing for lower genital tract carcinogenic HPV DNA using a cervical cytology liquid transport media residual sample is clinically feasible. The new HC II microplate HPV test achieved a greater test sensitivity for detecting carcinogenic HPV and correspondingly of CIN 2/3 compared with the currently available first-generation HC HPV test. Use of a liquid-based cervical cytology system combined with intermediate triage by HC II testing of residual cells for carcinogenic HPV alone may help to efficiently identify CIN 2/3 in women who have a prior screening Pap smear report of ASCUS.

Adult↗

Human papillomavirus infection in women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

BACKGROUND: Among women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), there is a high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. However, little is known about the natural history of HPV infections in HIV-seropositive women, and persistent HPV infections may explain the increased risk of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions and invasive cervical cancer in HIV-seropositive women. METHODS: A total of 220 HIV-seropositive and 231 HIV-seronegative women in the New York City area were evaluated at two or more semiannual gynecologic examinations that included a Pap test, a test for HPV DNA, and colposcopy. RESULTS: HPV DNA was detected at the initial examination in 56 percent of the HIV-seropositive and 31 percent of the HIV-seronegative women. After four examinations, the cumulative prevalence of HPV infection was 83 percent in the seropositive women and 62 percent in the seronegative women (P<0.001). Persistent HPV infections were found in 24 percent of the seropositive women but in only 4 percent of the seronegative women (P<0.001). Twenty percent of the seropositive women and 3 percent of the seronegative women had persistent infections with HPV-16-associated viral types (16, 31, 33, 35, or 58) or HPV-18-associated types (18 or 45) (P<0.001), which are most strongly associated with cervical cancer. The detection of HPV DNA in women with previously negative tests was not associated with sexual activity during the interval since the preceding examination. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-seropositive women have a high rate of persistent HPV infections with the types of HPV that are strongly associated with the development of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and invasive cervical cancer. These persistent infections may explain the increased incidence of squamous intraepithelial lesions in HIV-seropositive women.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗