HPV DNA (Human Papilloma Virus)
Sample: Cervical smear, Vaginal wash (S.S. 50 mL)
Schedule: 10 days
Status: CY lab
Reference Range: Negative
Remarks: The HPV DNA test (Human Papilloma Virus) is used to confirm abnormal cells changes found on a smear Pap test, which is a test used to detect cancer of the cervix (the neck of the uterus). Changes of the cells on the Pap smear may indicate HPV infection, but it does not differentiate between high and low risk types. A high risk type HPV is found when the HPV DNA test is positive. The genotype screen DNA test for HPV detects those types of the virus that have a higher risk to develop cervical cancer, such as HPV 16 and HPV 18. On the other hand, low risk of progressing to cancer has the types HPV 6, HPV 11, HPV 42, HPV 43, HPV 44, among others.
Medical studies show that certain men are at a high risk for sexually transmitted diseases for HPV-related anal cancer. In such cases the test is performed in a similar way to a cervical HPV DNA test. As in cervical samples, positive results need further testing in order to achieve the final diagnosis.
