The Clinical Utility of Extended High-Risk HPV Genotyping in Women With ASC-US Cytology A Large Retrospective Study From Southwest China

Objectives Extended testing for high-risk human papillomavirus genotypes (hrHPVGTs) is increasingly investigated for risk stratification in cervical cancer screening. Methods Age and hrHPVGT results from 16,993 women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) cytology between November 2015 and August 2021 were studied and correlated with available histopathologic findings within 6 months. Results High-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV)-positive rate was 66.9% in women with ASC-US cytology, and the most prevalent genotypes were HPV 52 (20.9%), 16 (15.7%), and 58 (12.8%). Single hrHPV genotypes and multiple HPV genotypes were detected in 77.2% and 22.8% of women with hrHPV-positive results. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more (CIN2+) severe lesions were identified in 19.5% of women with hrHPV-positive ASC-US. The greatest risk for CIN2+ was found in single genotype infections with HPV 16 (33.1%), followed by women with multiple genotype infections, including HPV 16 (32.7%), 82 (30.8%), and 31 (30.0%). hrHPVGT testing for genotypes 16, 31, 35, 45, 82, 58, 33, 52, and 18 was identified in 91.9% (965/1,050) of CIN2+ cases, with 88.9% sensitivity, 43.2% specificity, positive predictive value of 23.9%, and negative predictive value of 95.1%. Conclusions Extended hrHPV genotyping for women with ASC-US cytology could identify those hrHPV genotypes (HPV 16, 31, 35, 45, 82, 58, 33, 52, 18) associated with higher risk of CIN2+ and allows for refined risk stratification of women being screened.

Automated summary

Extended hrHPV genotyping for women with ASC-US cytology could identify hrHPV genotypes associated with higher risk of CIN2+ and allows for refined risk stratification of women being screened.