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Genital human papillomavirus infections
1Denver Disease Control Service, Colorado.
Clinics in Laboratory Medicine
|September 1, 1989
Summary
Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a common sexually transmitted disease linked to cervical cancer. While genital warts are clinically diagnosed, subclinical infections need lab tests, with HPV DNA detection showing promise.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Public Health
Background:
- Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a prevalent sexually transmitted disease.
- HPV infection is a significant risk factor for cervical carcinoma.
- Distinguishing between clinical (genital warts) and subclinical HPV infections is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current diagnostic methods for genital HPV infections.
- To highlight the limitations of existing diagnostic techniques.
- To discuss the potential role of HPV DNA detection in clinical laboratories.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on HPV diagnostic methods.
- Analysis of the sensitivity and specificity of different diagnostic approaches.
- Evaluation of the clinical utility of cytologic, histopathologic, and HPV DNA detection methods.
Main Results:
- Genital warts are diagnosed clinically, but subclinical infections are more common and require laboratory diagnosis.
- Current methods for HPV culture are unsatisfactory.
- Cytologic and histopathologic methods are widely used but have limitations in sensitivity.
- HPV DNA detection offers higher sensitivity but its clinical laboratory role requires further definition.
Conclusions:
- Accurate diagnosis of genital HPV infections, especially subclinical cases, remains a challenge.
- Improved diagnostic tools are needed for effective management and prevention of HPV-related diseases.
- Further research is necessary to establish the role of HPV DNA detection in routine clinical practice.