Liquid‐based cytology and HPV DNA testing using intra‐anal specimens from HIV‐negative women with and without genital HPV‐induced lesions

Background Screening for anal cancer using cytology has not been considered in immunocompetent women. The aim of this study was to identify cytological atypia and human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in intra-anal specimens from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative women with and without genital HPV lesions. Methods This study was a cross-sectional analysis of 142 women who were negative for the HIV: 80 with genital lesions that were associated with HPV and 62 without HPV-induced lesions. The women were evaluated at the Federal University of Ceara from October 2011 to June 2012. The statistical analysis included the Fisher exact test and the odds ratio (CI 95%). Results Atypical anal cytology was observed in 24 (29.3%) patients in the study group and in 11 (17.8%) patients in the control group. In cases with at least two sites of HPV-associated lesions, 12 (41.4%) presented atypical cytology (P = 0.0220; OR = 2.7621, 1.1579–6.5889). When the practice of anal sex was evaluated, atypical cytology was observed in 22/43 (34%) [P = 0.0214; OR = 2.519, 1.146–5.534]. HPV DNA was detected in 17/27 (63%) cases with at least two sites of lesions (P = 0.0293, OR = 2.4855, 1.0960–5.6367). In the 33 cases who presented positive HPV DNA test results, the liquid-based cytology results were atypical (P = 0.0212, OR = 2.8, 1.1665–6.7208). Conclusion Based on the results, liquid-based cytology may be used to detect intra-anal lesions, especially among women who have a history of anal intercourse or who have genital HPV-associated lesions at multiple sites. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:360–365. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.