Cytological examination of a smear from the cervix by a liquid cytology apparat with a Pap test (PAP test)

Liquid oncocytology (PAP test) is a screening method for examining women to identify potentially dangerous precancerous and cancerous processes in the cervical canal and uterine cervix. The test has replaced the routine Pap swab, as it has a number of significant advantages.

The test is intended for an annual preventive screening examination of women in order to prevent uterine cervix. According to the "European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Cervical Cancer Screening" (2010), the PAP test in combination with a regular screening program reduces death rate from uterine cervix by up to 80%!

The routine method of uterine cervix scraping microscopy is widespread in the CIS, which, in comparison with liquid oncocytology, has a number of disadvantages. These two methods are united by the fact that the result of the analysis is based on the study of scraping from the uterine cervix under a microscope. The advantage of the PAP test lies in the technology of preparing the biomaterial for analysis:

• Unlike the routine method, the biomaterial is not "smeared" on the glass immediately after scraping, but is placed in a special liquid medium.
• Next, the process of centrifuging the fluid and separating the cells from each other and removing other contents (mucus) takes place.
• The obtained cellular material is applied in an even layer on a slide, after which it is microscoped.

The last, third point is crucial, as it is the one that ensures the most accurate result: up to 80% of cells are lost when scraping directly onto the slide (*Hutchinson ML et al., Homogeneous sampling accounts for the increased diagnostic accuracy using the ThinPrep® Processor, Am J Clin Pathol).

At OLYMP CDL, the analysis is performed on the EASYPREP® automatic system, which eliminates the possibility of errors associated with the process of creating a drug for microscopy. The device independently prepares the material, after which the evaluation of the results of the analysis is performed by a cytologist. The equipment allows you to display a high-precision image of the swab on the monitor.

The usual method:

• Manual creation of biomaterial for microscopy (the human factor)
• About 80% of cells* do not reach the study stage
• Cell adhesion and layering
• The material is contaminated with non-cellular biological elements (mucus)
• High probability of a false negative result
• The ability to detect cells infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV)

Liquid oncocytology:

• Automatic creation of biomaterials (lack of human factor)
• Almost 100% of the biomaterial is available for study
• Uniform cell distribution
• A minimum of unnecessary biomaterial
• The minimum probability of a false negative result
• The ability to detect cells infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV)

Attention! It is not recommended to take a swab in the following cases:

• Earlier than 48 hours after sexual contact
• During menstruation
• During treatment for another genital infection
• Earlier than 48 hours after using lubricants, vinegar or Lugol solution, tampons or spermicides
• After vaginal analysis or douching

Figure 1. The routine method

Figure 2. Liquid oncocytology