Abstract
Objective : The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of HPV-DNA through cell findings suggestive of HPV infection among cases of ASC-US.
Study Design : The present study materials were liquid cervical cytological specimens from 181 women diagnosed as having ASC-US. We used the PCR method for identification of HPV infection and in situ PCR for identification of HPV-infected cells.
Results : HPV was detected in 91.2% of the ASC-US cases. Among cell features that were suggestive of HPV infection, nonclassic koilocytes had a high sensitivity and high specificity for detection of HPV. HPV was detected by in situ PCR in 88.2% of cells showing nonclassic koilocytes and in 100% of cells with multinucleation. The presence of cells with nonclassic koilocytes and multinucleation was significantly correlated with HPV infection (p<0.001).
Conclusion : The existence of squamous intraepithelial lesions must be taken into account if HPV-infected cells showing nonclassic koilocytes and multinucleation are observed in NILM and ASC-US cases.
