[Cytometric profile of the DNA content in pathologies of the uterine cervix]

Through flow cytometry, we have analysed DNA content of cervical cells recovered by scrapping the uterine cervix in 1) 103 women without human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), 2) 42 patients with HPV infection without CIN, and 45 patients with CIN. We have observed four different DNA patterns: 1) normal DNA pattern, 2) increased and heterogeneous DNA pattern (IH), 3) increased S G2 + M phases, and 4) DNA aneuploid pattern. Statistical calculation has emphasized the significant correlation linking flow cytometric DNA pattern with cytologic diagnosis. HPV infection without CIN was associated with IH DNA pattern and CIN with increased S G2 + M phases or DNA aneuploid pattern. These results point out the interest of flow cytometric analysis of DNA content in uterine cervix pathology and in more extend in infectious or preneoplastic pathology.