- Journal
- JOURNAL OF LOWER GENITAL TRACT DISEASE
- Année
- 2025
- Volume
- 29
- Numéro
- 4
- Pages
- 342-347
- Mois
- OCT
- DOI
- 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000911
Abstract
ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to characterize human papillomavirus (HPV) using a highly sensitive genotyping test on smears collected longitudinally that showed a positive-negative-positive infection pattern with a screening test.MethodsWomen with positive-negative-positive high-risk (hr) HPV test results using the Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) assay were identified between 2015 and 2021. Corresponding cervical smears were obtained from the biobank and analyzed using a sensitive reverse line blot genotyping assay for the detection of 32 HPV genotypes.ResultsAmong 10,512 women, 29 (0.27%) were identified with the compatible pattern of hrHPV infection. Among the 29 HC2-negative samples, 27 (93%) were readily positive by the genotyping assay. Of these 29 women, 14 had a history of cervical lesions and had undergone surgical treatment, and the pattern of infection was likely to be related to treatment efficacy. The remaining 15 women had either persistent or transient infection with low viral titers in HC2-negative samples. No pattern of infection compatible with latent infection was observed.ConclusionshrHPV positive-negative-positive infection patterns were rare in the authors' cohort. hrHPV DNA negativity with the Hybrid Capture 2 test was mainly explained by the presence of HPV below the assay cutoff. Therefore, the authors' study does not provide clear evidence of HPV latency but rather of subclinical infection with low viral load.