Screening of High-Risk Women for Human Papillomavirus DNA with Qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction and its Correlation with Liquid Pap Smear Cytology in a Semi-Urban Population

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is proved by various studies as the common etiologic agent for cervical cancer. So by diagnosing infection with HPV, prevention of developing an invasive cervical cancer is possible. Aim: To study cervical cancer, screening/secondary prevention is to prevent invasive cervical cancer from developing by detecting and treating women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3 lesions. Materials and Methods: Using reflex panel liquid-based cytology, Pap smear and qualitative HPV L-1 gene was done gel-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for all women in the age group of 25-65 years who attended our OPD with symptoms of leukorrhea. Results: Qualitative PCR of the vaginal smear samples for HPV DNA testing does not correlate with liquid Pap smear cytology in clinically symptomatic patients with chronic cervicitis. Conclusion: Cervical cancer screening through HPV DNA qualitative testing by PCR method in women is not reliable and real-time PCR testing to stratify the high-risk types of HPV may be a more accurate method.