Good agreements between self and clinician-collected specimens for the detection of human papillomavirus in Brazilian patients

Women infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) are at a higher risk of developing cervical lesions. In the current study, self and clinician-collected vaginal and cervical samples from women were processed to detect HPV DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with PGMY09/11 primers. HPV genotypes were determined using type-specific PCR. HPV DNA detection showed good concordance between self and clinician-collected samples (84.6%; kappa = 0.72). HPV infection was found in 30% women and genotyping was more concordant among high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) than low-risk HPV (HR-HPV). HPV16 was the most frequently detected among the HR-HPV types. LR-HPV was detected at a higher frequency in self-collected; however, HR-HPV types were more frequently identified in clinician-collected samples than in self-collected samples. HPV infections of multiple types were detected in 20.5% of clinician-collected samples and 15.5% of self-collected samples. In this study, we demonstrated that the HPV DNA detection rate in self-collected samples has good agreement with that of clinician-collected samples. Self-collected sampling, as a primary prevention strategy in countries with few resources, could be effective for identifying cases of HR-HPV, being more acceptable. The use of this method would enhance the coverage of screening programs for cervical cancer.

Experiencia con un método de autotoma de muestra vaginal para la detección de infección por Chlamydia trachomatis y Neisseria gonorrhoeae en mujeres jóvenes / Screening of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis using techniques of self collected vaginal sample in young women

Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are responsible for 3-10% of sexually transmitted diseases in adolescents. 75% are asymptomatic. International standards recommend annual screening for C. trachomatis in sexually active women under 26 years. Self-collected vaginal swab is one of the less invasive screening methods, it is well accepted by patients and rarely used in our country. Aim: To determine the frequency of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae by a self-sampling method of vaginal swab and its acceptability in a group of adolescents and young adults. Patients and Methods: Women 18 to 25 years old. Vaginal samples were processed by nucleic acid amplification tests, Gen Probe APTIMA Combo2. Data were collected on sexual behavior and perception of self-sampling by survey. Results: We studied 344 patients with an average age of 21.7 years. Detection of C. trachomatis was positive in 7.9% women and it was not found in any of the patients studied for N. gonorrhoeae. 98% considered self-sampling instructions easy to understand, 87.5% felt comfortable taking the sample. Conclusions: Prevalence of C. trachomatis in the study population was similar to that described in other national and international studies. N. gonorrhoeae was not found in this series, which is consistent with literature reports. The self-sampling technique of vaginal sample was well accepted by the patients. However, they were anxious about the quality of the sample. According to our results, it is important to emphasize the importance of annual detection of these pathogens and that self-sampling technique is a valid alternative.

Chlamydia trachomatis y Neisseria gonorrhoeae son causantes de 3 a 10% de las infecciones de transmisión sexual en adolescentes. Las normas internacionales recomiendan su detección anual en mujeres sexualmente activas menores de 26 años. La adherencia a este tamizaje en mujeres jóvenes está limitada por el temor al examen ginecológico y alto costo del examen. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de detección de C. trachomatis y N. gonorrhoeae por un método de auto-toma de muestra vaginal y su aceptabilidad en un grupo de adolescentes y jóvenes adultas. Pacientes y Método: Se incluyeron mujeres de 18 a 25 años atendidas en Clínica Las Condes y el Servicio de Salud Estudiantil de la Universidad de Chile, que fueron instruidas para autotoma de muestra vaginal. Luego de dar su consentimiento, las muestras fueron estudiadas mediante reacción de polimerasa en cadena para la detección de C. trachomatis y N. gonorrhoeae. Se recopilaron datos sobre conductas sexuales y percepción de la autotoma mediante encuesta. Se determinó la relación entre estos factores y la aceptabilidad del método. Resultados: Se reclutaron 344 mujeres, con una edad promedio de 21,7 años. La detección de C. trachomatis fue de 7,9% y no se encontró muestra positiva para N. gonorrhoeae. El reporte de flujo vaginal por la paciente se asoció a 1,5 veces mayor riesgo de C. trachomatis. El 98% consideró las instrucciones de la autotoma fáciles de entender, 87,5% se sintió cómoda al tomar la muestra. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de C. trachomatis en la población estudiada fue similar a lo descrito en otras series nacionales e internacionales; no se encontró N. gonorrhoeae en esta serie, lo que coincide con lo reportado en el extranjero. La técnica de autotoma de muestra vaginal fue bien aceptada por las pacientes; sin embargo, manifestaron ansiedad acerca de la seguridad de una toma adecuada. De acuerdo a nuestros resultados, es importante insistir en la detección anual de estos patógenos siendo la técnica de autotoma una alternativa válida.