More than 100 types of human papillomavirus – HPV are known
HPV is the most easily sexually transmitted infection, as the virus is cutaneous and jumps from person to person by simply exchanging contaminated body fluids (the use of condoms gives limited protection in this case).
High risk HPV subtype infection, is the major cause for the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. The need for the annual pap test is to detect cell lesions (precancerous stages) in the cervix, from long-term HPV infection.
DNA screening and virus typing can be used
- to confirm suspicious pap test and
- to identify the risk of the virus
- to detect as a screening test, possible infection of the virus prior to the onset of cell infections
However, the presence of high-risk HPV strains is also associated with malignancies in other infected organs such as larynx, oropharyngeal cavity, respiratory, etc. For this reason, the need for reliable detection and diagnosis of HPV provides information on further preventive testing and valid diagnosis and treatment.
Even low-risk individuals may have warts in the anal and genital area but also in the respiratory.
The examination also involves the simultaneous detection of the 74 most prevalent forms of the virus, including high-risk pathogens, but also the unclear risk of virus subtypes.
Among the types detected are:
- High Risk Subtypes:
16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 97
- Potentially High Risk Subtypes:
26, 53, 66, 68, 73, 82
- Low risk subtypes:
6, 11, 13, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 55, 61, 70, 72, 81, 89, 102, 106
- Subtypes of unspecified risk
30, 32, 34, 62, 64, 67, 69, 71, 74, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 90, 91
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Information selected from :
- MayoClinic.org
- Labtestsonline.org
- Neoscreen Laboratories
The exact choice of tests required, is under the responsibility of your treating physician
Editor: I. Gratsias Lab Director / Clinical Biochemist
Last Update May 2019
Sampling
Women are required to have a cervical sample taken by gynecologist with a special brush
For men a sample is taken from the point of interest, using a special cotton swab. A sample of sperm can also be used
Results are given in 7 business days.
Cost
The cost for HPV detection and typing is 120 euros.
