HPV — Human Papillomavirus 16-18 (qualit.)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that exclusively affects epithelial cells of ectodermal origin: the skin, mucous membranes of the genitals and oral cavity. Despite one of the smallest sizes among viruses and the simplicity of its structure, the pathogen is extremely tenacious.
A characteristic and main feature of HPV is the ability to stimulate epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes to uncontrolled reproduction. As a result, characteristic growths are found in the affected areas:

- genital warts (on the genitals of men and women);

- genital warts;

- molluscum contagiosum;

However, the most terrible diseases caused by HPV are cancer of the uterine cervix and vagina in the female part of the population, and cancer of the penis and prostate in men.

At the moment, about 74 types of papillomoviruses have been identified, but only a few of them are capable of causing any diseases in humans. HPV types 16 and 18 are most often found in the biomaterial of uterine cervix tumors, since it is their activity that is associated with the development of cancerous changes in the skin and mucous membranes.

Provoking factors that contribute to the development of malignant neoplasms are:

- constant change of sexual partners or the presence of several sexual partners at the same time;

- the presence of sexually transmitted infections;

- reduction of general and local protective immune reactions;

- frequent inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system;

- premature sexual activity;

- the presence of bad habits such as smoking and alcoholism;

- abortions and spontaneous miscarriages in the anamnesis;

- the presence of severe concomitant pathology (diabetes mellitus, etc.).

The virus is transmitted mainly sexually, although it can also be transmitted through contact, through damaged areas of the skin, for example, when going to the hairdresser. A person is dangerous in terms of infection only if there are the above-mentioned growths on his skin and mucous membranes.

The determination of human papillomavirus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is characterized by high sensitivity and specificity (98%). The principle of PCR is to identify a unique DNA fragment belonging to a given virus after repeated doubling of the studied genetic material in a test-tube. However, it is worth remembering that the detection of HPV in the material does not yet indicate the presence of cancer in the patient, but requires a more detailed histological examination.

Women who have HPV in their uterine cervix for a long time have a 65 times higher risk of developing cancer than those who do not have the virus. The risk increases significantly (in 130 times) if a patient over 30 years of age is infected with HPV type 16 or 18.

In the OLYMP CDL branches, PCR analysis are done in REAL-TIME mode, which means that after each hardware cycle (amplification), the amount of DNA in the biomaterial is measured. This procedure reduces the probability of a false positive result to almost zero!

A qualitative type of analysis means that the result of the test is given: “positive” or “negative”, i.e. whether a fragment of virus DNA is detected in the biomaterial or not. Quantitative test is necessary to clarify the degree of infection.

The test material is a swab from the urethra or vagina.Therefore, the result of the test indicates the presence or absence of the pathogen directly at the site of taking the biomaterial.

Read also: "PAPILLOMAVIRUS: DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE!"