Identification of Human Papillomavirus in Women with Genital Warts by PCR and Pap Smear in Sari

Shaghayegh Rangraz; Haniyeh  Bashi Zadeh Fakhar; Mohammad Hesam Aslani; Parnian Sadat Shahidi

doi:10.18502/jmb.v13i4.20522

Shaghayegh Rangraz Islamic Azad University, Chalus Branch, Department of medical science,Chalous, Iran.
Haniyeh Bashi Zadeh Fakhar Department of Human Geneticse, Science And Research Branch, Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Hesam Aslani Department of Cell and Molecular Sciences, TeMS.C.. Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Parnian Sadat Shahidi Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmb.v13i4.20522

Keywords: Genital Warts, Human Papillomavirus, Pap smear, PCRGenital Warts, Human Papillomavirus, Pap smear, PCR

Abstract

Background: The most significant genital lesion caused by HPV infection is genital warts, which are benign. The importance of genital warts relates to cervical cancer risk factors. In fact, this virus has been identified as the cause of 99% of cervical cancers worldwide, necessitating non-invasive methods for disease management. Identifying an appropriate, accurate, and highly sensitive screening method is crucial. Therefore, we investigated the diagnosis of papillomavirus in women with genital warts using Pap smear and PCR.

Methods: From September 2019 to August 2020, 41 vaginal swab and cervical samples from females with genital warts were assessed for HPV DNA detection by PCR and Pap smear.

Results: Among 41 vaginal swab specimens from those with genital warts, 5 cases (12.12%) were detected by molecular method, while Pap smear analysis of the same 41 samples revealed 8 cases (19.5%) of abnormal findings, including 2 cases of ASC (4.9%), 6 cases (14.6%) of metaplastic cells, and 33 cases (80.4%) normal results, comprising 11 inflammatory cases (26.8%) and 22 normal cases (53.7%).

Conclusion: The incidence of HPV infection in females with genital warts was 12.12% by PCR. However, conventional Pap smear screening detected 19.5% cervical dysplasia cases attributable to papillomavirus infection. The discrepancy between PCR and Pap smear results stems from the specificity and low sensitivity of the Pap smear method. Therefore, it is recommended to use the PCR diagnostic method alongside Pap smear to enhance screening quality in individuals with genital warts.