Detection of sexually transmitted infection and human papillomavirus in negative cytology by multiplex-PCR

We recruited 235 women of reproductive age who had negative cytology findings in a liquid-based cervical smear. STIs were identified by multiplex PCR, and HPV genotypes by multiplex PCR, hybrid capture 2, and DNA microaray; discordant results were analyzed by direct sequencing.Approximately 96.6% of patients with negative cytology results were positive for pathogens that cause STIs. The pathogens most frequently detected were Gardnerella vaginalis, Ureaplasma urealyticum. The incidence of HPV in negative cytology was 23.3%. Low-risk HPV infection was significantly correlated with Chalmaydia trachomatis, and high-risk HPV infection was significantly correlated with Group β streptococcus. The analytical sensitivities of the multiplex PCR and DNA microarray were higher than 80%, and the analytical specificity was nearly 100% for all tests.Multiplex PCR yielded results that most of patients with negative cytology were positive for pathogens that cause STIs, and were more similar to that of DNA microarray, than that of hybrid capture 2 in terms of analytical sensitivity and prediction value of HPV infection.Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are fairly common in people of reproductive age; more than 50% of new STD infections occur in adolescents. However, only 50% to 80% of reportable STDs that occur in the United States are actually reported [1]. Testing for STDs can result in negative cytology, that is, laboratory test results that revealed reactive cellular change (RCC) or atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS). RCC or ASCUS is routinely screened for, but they are not associated with neoplasms or preneoplastic stages known as squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs). RCCs are cytological alterations related to inflammation or irritation but, whether subtle or marked, are typically not associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Common features of RCCs include the formation of small perinuclear halos, mild nuclear enlargement or nuclear