Introduction/Background Human papillomavirus is the most common viral sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Persistent HPV infection is the main cause of cervical cancer.

The objective of study was to determine the frequency of HPV in cervical specimens received for diagnostic testing at the Aga Khan University Hospital Clinical Laboratories.

Methodology Retrospective review of 1062 test records from 2017 – 2022 was conducted. Testing of High-Risk HPV DNA was performed by DNA Hybrid Capture2 method. Laboratory data of pap smear and cervical biopsies was also reviewed.

Results Out of 1062 patients, 764(71.9%) underwent a Pap smear test, of which 14.9% (114/764) had abnormal epithelial lesions. High-risk HPV DNA was detected in 180(16.9%) cases. Biopsy finding was observed in 118 of 1062 specimens (11.1%). There were 85.6% (101/118) with positive neoplastic changes and lesions in the epithelium and 17(14.4%) with benign histology. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was the most common biopsy finding (43, 36%); followed by cervicitis/Mild Acute to Chronic Inflammation (36, 30.5%), squamous cell carcinoma (16, 13.6%) and adenocarcinoma was noted in 6 (5.1%) women.

HPV positivity was correlated with cervical cytology and biopsy. Out of those tested positive for HPV, 28.3% had LSIL and ASCUS and 14.2% had HSIL and ASC-H on pap smear. Similarly, on cervical biopsies of HPV positive women, 35.9% LSIL (CIN1), 32.8% HSIL (CIN 2/3) and 17.2% invasive carcinoma were diagnosed. Risk of high-risk positive HPV was six times more likely with pap smear high-grade lesion (OR=5.8) and nine times more with biopsy-proven high-grade lesion [OR=8.5].

Conclusion Our data shows a high association of HPV positivity with neoplasia in women tested in Pakistan, may be due to delayed diagnosis of HPV. Therefore, there is a strong recommendation for routine HPV testing for women to screen for cervical cancer as earlier detection of high-risk HPV types may improve triage and treatment.

Disclosures no disclosures