A proper triage for detecting women with high-risk human papillomavirus genotypes other than HPV16/18

Objective To evaluate the effect of human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 capsid protein detection in cervical exfoliated cells as a proper triage for women with high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) genotypes other than HPV 16/18. Study design From January 2013 to June 2015, a total of 513 women aged 30–65 years infected with non-16/18 hrHPV were enrolled into the study. Primary HPV testing, HPV 16/18 genotyping and Papanicolaou (Pap) test were performed in all eligible women. HPV L1 capsid protein was detected by immunocytochemistry in cervical exfoliated cells. All hrHPV positive women underwent colposcopy and further biopsy if indicated. Relationships between HPV L1 capsid protein expression and histologic diagnosis, as well as cytology were analyzed. Results The positive expression rate of HPV L1 capsid protein in CIN2+ group was significantly lower than that in CIN1 or better group (16.3% vs. 66.7%, P = 0.000). Compared with the Pap test, HPV L1 detection achieved higher sensitivity (83.7% vs. 51.2%, P = 0.000), higher negative predictive value (NPV) (95.3% vs. 88.6%, P = 0.002), and significant lower specificity (66.7% vs.76.1%, P = 0.002) while identifying CIN2+. Compared with the Pap test, HPV L1 detection achieved higher sensitivity (89.7% vs. 51.7%, P = 0.008), higher NPV (99.0% vs. 96.2%, P = 0.043), and significant lower specificity (61.2% vs.73.8%, P = 0.000) while identifying CIN3+. Conclusion Because of its higher sensitivity and NPV than that of Pap test, HPV L1 capsid protein detection in cervical exfoliated cells reduces the missed identification of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in women with hrHPV genotypes other than HPV 16/18. HPV L1 capsid protein detection could be a potential triage for women with non-16/18 hrHPV infection.