Diagnostic and prognostic significance of image cytometric DNA ploidy measurement in cytological samples of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions

D. Demirel, N. Akyürek and I. Ramzy
Diagnostic and prognostic significance of image cytometric DNA ploidy measurement in cytological samples of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions Objective: To study the DNA ploidy pattern of uterine cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) and its diagnostic and prognostic significance. Methods: The study included 31 cases of SIL: 11 low‐grade (LSIL) and 20 high‐grade (HSIL). Feulgen–pararosaniline staining was performed on previously Papanicolaou‐stained smears and a DNA image cytometric study was performed. An internal reference was used to calibrate the samples. Results: All 31 cases of SIL, either LSIL or HSIL, were non‐diploid. Of the 11 cases of LSIL, four were tetraploid and seven were aneuploid, whereas, of the 20 cases of HSIL, four were tetraploid and 16 were aneuploid. Stemline aneuploidy was not a significant discriminator between LSIL and HSIL (P = 0.32). Based on single‐cell analysis, HSIL cases had significantly higher DNA content than LSIL cases (P < 0.01). When a mean of 30% or more was used for the 6c‐exceeding event (6cEE) value, the sensitivity and specificity to indicate HSIL were 83% and 64%, respectively, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 81% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 65%. All HSIL cases were cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) on biopsy. In addition, cases which showed recurrence had more DNA content by single‐cell analysis than those with an indolent clinical behaviour: P = 0.04 and P = 0.03 for LSIL and HSIL, respectively. Conclusions: Image cytometric DNA analysis is a useful technique for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in uterine cervical SIL when appropriate ‘c’ values are used in single‐cell analysis. We propose that a >6c DNA content of 30% is useful as a cut‐off level for predicting cases with CIN2+ in DNA image cytometry of cervical smears.     

伴高危型HPV感染的LSIL患者HPV清除与 阴道微生态间的关系

目的探讨阴道微生态对伴有高危型人乳头瘤病毒(HR-HPV)感染的低级别鳞状上皮内病变(LSIL)患者HPV清除速度有无影响。方法选取阴道镜下宫颈活检病理诊断为LSIL或CIN1,且均合并HR-HPV感染的患者351例,随访1～2年,观察入组时的阴道微生态状态与随访6个月及12个月时的HPV清除情况。结果对于有随访结果的334例,至随访6个月时,细菌性阴道病(BV)组HPV转阴率为20.29%,低于阴道微生态正常组(32.35%,P0.01),其余外阴阴道假丝酵母菌组、滴虫性阴道炎组及其他微生态失衡组与阴道微生态正常组间比较差异无统计学意义。至随访12个月时,各微生态失衡组与微生态正常组间HPV转阴率差异均无统计学意义。结论 BV感染可能在短期内影响LSIL患者HPV清除速度。     

Detection of p53 protein and Ki-67 proliferation antigen in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative cervical lesions by immunohistochemical double-staining

In HPV-associated genital lesions, low or absent expression of p53 has been attributed to the rapid degradation of p53 through its binding with HPV E6 protein. In this study, we examined p53 protein expression with two antibodies (CM1 polyclonal and PAb 1801 monoclonal antibodies), and Ki-67 proliferation antigen (monoclonal antibody) using an immunohistochemical (IHC) double-staining technique in 77 HPV-positive cervical lesions (HPV6, HPV11, HPV16, HPV18, HPV31, and HPV33) and in 15 HPV-negative cases. p53 protein expression was detected in 36/92 (39.1%) of the specimens. of the p53-positive cases, 80.6% (29/36) were HPV-positive samples, including 10/23 (43.5%) of HPV16- and 3/10 (30%) of HPV18-positive biopsies. In 52.8% of the p53-positive samples, the expression was found in less than 5% of the basal cells which were also positive for Ki-67.
Ki-67 proliferation marker was found in 91/92 specimens, most intensely in those infected by HPV16. p53 was more abundant in progressive or persistent lesions, but no differences were found between HPV-positive and HPV-negative samples. the positive IHC double-staining of both p53 and Ki-67 proliferation antigen in the same basal (and parabasal) cells indicates that these two normal cell-cycle proteins are being expressed while the cells are entering from the G₁ to the S phase of the cell cycle. Since the latter property is only attributed to the wild-type p53 (but not to mutated p53), the p53 protein detected in HPV lesions by IHC is likely to be the wild-type p53 rather than mutated p53, and the result was also confirmed by using p53 mutant specific antibody PAb 240. Accordingly, the concept of HPV inactivating the wild-type p53 protein should be re-examined, and other mechanisms for HPV-mediated carcinogenesis should be considered.     

高级别宫颈上皮内瘤变术后转归与阴道微生态的相关性研究

目的 研究高危型人乳头瘤病毒(HRHPV)持续感染的高级别宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)女性行宫颈锥切术后HPV病毒感染转归与阴道微生态的相关性。 方法 选取2015年12月至2018年12月我院342例行宫颈锥切术的CINⅡ以上患者(术前HRHPV检测均为阳性)为研究对象,根据术后1年随访HRHPV感染转归分为持续阳性组58例,阴性组284例,对比两组研究对象术后1年阴道微生态检测的情况。 结果 持续阳性组在菌群密集度、菌群多样性及优势菌构成上与阴性组差异存在统计学意义(χ2=13.711、37.120、25.312,P=0.001、0.05)。 结论 HRHPV的持续感染与阴道微生态平衡关系密切,在高级别CIN患者术后应注意纠正阴道微生态平衡,增强宫颈的局部免疫有利于宫颈癌的防治。     

Detection of human papillomavirus types by the polymerase chain reaction and the differentiation between high-risk and low-risk cervical lesions

By means of a consensus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, the prevalence of HPV types was determined in cervical biopsies from 137 women referred to the gynecological outpatient clinic for colposcopy because of an abnormal cervical smear. The prevalence of HPV was 80.3%. There was a statistically highly significant rise in the prevalence of the oncogenic HPV types (16, 18, 31, 33) with increasing severity of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN I to III), indicating a role for these HPV types in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer. The prevalence of other HPV types decreased significantly with the severity of the lesion, suggesting that these HPV types play a less significant role in this process. These data indicate that HPV typing with PCR may be a valuable tool for distinguishing between highrisk and low-risk cervical lesions. Furthermore, our results suggest that the detection of HPV types by consensus PCR in the cervix of patients with an abnormal smear but without histologically detectable CIN is a useful tool for predicting which of these patiens will eventually develop CIN. Finally, a relatively low percentage (3%) of HPV double infections is reported in this study.     

Cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions and associated cervical infections in an HIV‐positive population in Rural Mpumalanga,South Africa

P. J. Swanepoel, P. Michelow, R. Du Plessis, I. G. Proudfoot, G. A. Tarr, S. L. Bockel, C. J. Swanepoel
Cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions and associated cervical infections in an HIV‐positive population in Rural Mpumalanga, South Africa Background: The incidences of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, associated squamous intraepithelial lesions and cervical squamous cell carcinoma are significantly increased in HIV‐positive women. The role of other cervicovaginal infections in the acquisition of the HPV infection, cervical carcinogenesis and genital HIV infection remains largely speculative. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted including 1087 HIV‐positive women in rural Mpumalanga province, South Africa, for the period 1 May 2009 to 31 August 2010. For each patient, the age at first presentation, cervical cytological diagnosis, subsequent follow‐up cytology and histology, and microscopically visible infections (including endemic Bilharzia) were tabulated and statistically analysed. Results: The prevalence of low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), squamous cell carcinoma, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC‐US) and atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude HSIL (ASC‐H) in the study population were 22.1%, 30.9%, 0.6%, 13.5% and 4.0%, respectively. LSIL, HSIL and squamous cell carcinoma were diagnosed, respectively, at the average ages of 35.7, 37.9 and 37.2 years. Four patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN1), 32 with CIN2/CIN3 and two with cervical squamous cell carcinoma were also diagnosed with Bilharzia. Of the other infections only bacterial vaginosis had a positive statistical correlation with HPV‐induced cervical abnormalities (LSIL, HSIL or squamous cell carcinoma). Conclusion: This study confirms the high prevalence of progressive HPV‐associated cervical disease in a rural Southern African HIV‐positive population, which is at least equal to or worse than in other African HIV‐positive studies. The high incidence of Bilharzia infection in those cases that underwent cervical cone excision suggests a possible relationship with progressive HPV disease and cervical carcinogenesis. Bacterial vaginosis (perhaps in combination with Bilharzia) may compromise the normal barriers against HPV and HIV infection.     

Significance of high-risk human papillomavirus detection by polymerase chain reaction in primary cervical cancer screening

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the incidence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to assess its diagnostic usefulness in primary cervical screening. PCR testing for HPV type 16, 18, 31 and 33 was performed on 1305 specimens obtained during routine cervical cancer screening. We analysed the concurrent cervical smears and biopsy, and correlated them with the HPV infection status. We also evaluated histologically-proven cases with ASCUS smears according to HPV infection. HPV DNA was identified in eight (0.7%) of 1144 cytologically normal patients; nine (10.5%) of 86 ASCUS; seven (25.0%) of 28 LSIL; 26 (78.8%) of 33 HSIL; and in all of three squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). HPV positivity was significantly associated with cytohistological diagnosis for HSIL of more. In addition, HPV-positive ASCUS cases were found to be associated with histological abnormality rather than HPV-negative. The results indicate that high-risk HPV testing by PCR could be a useful adjunct tool for Pap smear in primary cervical screening. The combination of Pap smear and high-risk HPV testing by PCR might reduce unnecessary colposcopy-guided biopsy of women with cytological diagnosis of ASCUS.     

Factors predicting successful DNA recovery from archival cervical smear samples

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based DNA testing of archival cervical smear slides is a useful method of retrospectively establishing the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical cells. A cellular DNA recovery test is performed in parallel to HPV DNA testing to ensure that sufficient cells are present and purification of sample DNA has been successfully performed. Previous studies have not comprehensively assessed DNA recovery rates in slides older than 13 years. We undertook a study to determine the factors impacting DNA recovery in 436 UK slides dating from 11 to 33 years prior to testing. Overall, a low cellular DNA recovery success rate of 29% was obtained but a strong trend was observed with increasing recovery rates the older the slides (P < 0.001). Recovery rates increased from 22% in the most recent slides collected from 1988 to 1992, to 61% in the oldest slides, collected in 1970-72. It is likely that fixation compounds incorporating acetic acid, introduced in the UK through the 1980s, have compromised subsequent attempts at PCR amplification. These findings emphasize the importance of the original fixation method in the success of DNA recovery from archival smear samples.     

Neutralizing antibodies against oncogenic human papillomavirus as a possible determinant of the fate of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

To determine whether neutralizing antibodies (NAs) against HPV16 is responsible for a higher regression rate of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN1), we investigated an association between the presence of the NAs and the fate of the HPV16-related CIN1. All the women examined in this study had HPV16 positive cervix. The women were allocated into four groups by their cervical pathology, i.e., non-pathological (n:7), CIN1 (n:37), CIN2/3 (n:19), and cervical cancer (n:13). Their sera were tested for the presence of NAs against HPV16 by an in vitro assay using HPV16-pseudovirions. As for the CIN1 cases, clinical regression of the lesions were compared between NA-positive and NA-negative groups. Copy number of HPV16-DNA in smear samples was measured by quantitative PCR. The incidence of the presence of the NAs in the women with a non-pathological cervix (85.7%) was significantly higher than in the CIN1 cases (21.5%), the CIN2/3 cases (15.7%), and the cervical cancer cases (0%) (p<0.0001). The regression of the CIN1 lesion was closely associated with the presence of the N As (p=0.0002). The presence of the NAs was associated with low-level copy number of the viral DNA relative to the NA-negative group (p=0.05). The presence of the NAs against HPV16 was associated with a higher regression rate of HPV-related CIN1 lesions. The NAs seem to have a role in deterring HPV-related cervical lesions from progressing to CIN2/3 by inhibiting the infection with de novo replicated HPV. This study further suggests that HPV vaccine to induce the NAs may be effective in eliminating CIN lesions, especially in the NA-negative cases.     

Diverse glandular pathologies coexist with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion in cyto-histological review of atypical glandular cells on ThinPrep specimens

Objective: To identify in cytology, high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions with endocervical glandular extension in cases previously diagnosed as atypical glandular cells (AGC), analyse possible reasons for the diagnostic pitfall and document the frequency of glandular pathology coexisting with high‐grade cervical intraepithelial lesion in histology. Methods: Thirty‐nine ThinPrep® cervical smear (Pap) tests reported as AGC of undetermined significance and showing high‐grade lesions on histology [cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or 3, endometrial or extrauterine adenocarcinoma] were reviewed retrospectively to identify the cases of high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion with endocervical glandular extension, using the Bethesda 2001 system. Cyto‐histological correlation was performed. Results: A high frequency of diverse glandular pathologies coexisted with high‐grade cervical intraepithelial lesions on histology. This included endocervical glandular extension in 63%, benign glandular pathology in 33% and pre‐neoplastic or malignant glandular pathology (endocervical glandular dysplasia, adenocarcinoma in situ and metastatic breast carcinoma) in 17% cases. On cytology, the sensitivity was 40%, specificity was 80% and positive predictive value was 86% for endocervical gland extension in high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. Conclusions: Special efforts to recognize endocervical glandular extension in high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and glandular neoplasia coexisting with squamous intraepithelial lesions from the heterogeneous category of AGC can contribute to increasing the diagnostic accuracy. The identification of endocervical glandular extension on cervical cytology would alert the gynaecologist to perform a thorough assessment of the endocervix during colposcopy. This could also help to decide on the need to perform deeper conization rather than loop electrosurgical excision procedure to ensure negative margins when colposcopic biopsy shows CIN 2 or 3.     

Optical quantitative pathology of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in human tissues using spatial frequency analysis

An optical quantitative histological method in human tissues using spatial frequencies is demonstrated. Optical spatial frequency spectra from different stages of human Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) tissue are evaluated as a potential quantitative pathological tool. The degree of randomness of tissue structures from normal to different stages of CIN tissue can be recognized by spatial frequency analysis. The standard deviation, σ of human normal and CIN tissue, is obtained by assuming the spatial frequency spectra as a Gaussian distribution. A support vector machine classifier (SVM) is trained in the subspace of σ. Twenty‐eight normal and CIN samples of varying grades are examined and compared with current diagnostic outcomes. Our results suggest that an excellent accuracy for diagnostic purposes can be achieved. This approach offers a simple, efficient and objective way to supplement histopathology in recognizing alterations from normal to different stages of cervical pre‐cancer, which are reflected by spatial information contained within the aperiodic and random structures of the different types of tissue. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

不同级别宫颈鳞状上皮内病变患者宫颈分泌物各指标检测情况及其临床意义

探讨不同级别宫颈鳞状上皮内病变（SIL）患者宫颈分泌物各指标检测情况及其临床意义,为该类患者的治疗提供参考。

选取北京市和平里医院妇科2022年3月至2023年5月164例SIL患者为研究对象,根据病理检查结果将患者分为宫颈低度鳞状上皮内病变（LSIL）组（n=72）和宫颈高度鳞状上皮内病变（HSIL）组（n=92）,另纳入宫颈癌患者21例为宫颈癌组、健康女性60例为健康组。统计4组受试者阴道白细胞酯酶（LE）、N-乙酰基氨基半乳糖苷酶（NAG）、唾液酸苷酶（SNA）、过氧化氢（H₂O₂）阳性率及pH值;观察4组受试者阴道滴虫感染情况及需氧菌性阴道炎（AV）、细菌性阴道病（BV）阳性率;评估4组受试者阴道清洁度;观察4组受试者HPV感染情况并通过Spearman分析评估宫颈病变程度与阴道微环境、HPV感染的相关性。

LSIL组、HSIL组、宫颈癌组患者阴道LE、NAG、SNA、H₂O₂阳性率及pH值均显著高于健康组（均P＜0.05）,且随着宫颈病变程度的加重,阴道LE、NAG、SNA、H₂O₂阳性率及pH值均呈上升趋势（均P＜0.05）。LSIL组、HSIL组、宫颈癌组患者滴虫感染率及AV、BV阳性率均显著高于健康组（均P＜0.05）,且随着宫颈病变程度的加重,滴虫感染率及AV、BV阳性率均呈上升趋势（均P＜0.05）。LSIL组、HSIL组、宫颈癌组阴道清洁度Ⅰ～Ⅱ级患者占比低于健康组,Ⅲ～Ⅳ级患者占比高于健康组（均P＜0.05）,且随着宫颈病变程度的加重,阴道清洁度越来越差（均P＜0.05）。LSIL组、HSIL组、宫颈癌组高危型HPV感染患者占比、HPV感染总发生率均高于健康组（均P＜0.05）,随着宫颈病变程度的加重,高危型HPV感染、HPV感染总发生率均呈上升趋势（均P＜0.05）。经相关性分析,宫颈病变程度与滴虫感染、AV、BV、LE、NAG、SNA、H₂O₂、pH值、阴道清洁度、HPV感染均呈正相关（均P＜0.05）。

SIL患者宫颈微生态处于显著失衡状态,宫颈病变程度与分泌物各指标具有显著相关性。

     

Atypical squamous cells and low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion in cervical cytology: cytohistological correlation and implication for management in a low‐resource setting

N. Gupta, R. Srinivasan, R. Nijhawan, A. Rajwanshi, P. Dey, V. Suri and L. Dhaliwal Atypical squamous cells and low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion in cervical cytology: cytohistological correlation and implication for management in a low‐resource setting Objectives: To perform an audit of all cervical smears reported as atypical squamous cells (ASC) and low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) as in the Bethesda system (TBS) 2001, and determine their histological follow‐up and outcome when available, in order to define the threshold for colposcopic referral. Material and methods: A total of 25 203 cervical smears were screened over a period of 3 years (January 2006 – December 2008) and all ASC and LSIL smears were reviewed with the corresponding histological follow‐up. All cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 lesions and above (CIN2+) were considered as clinically significant lesions for analysis. Results: Out of 25 203 cervical smears, 424 (1.7%) were reported as ASC and 113 (0.4%) as LSIL. Additionally, three were reported as atypical cells, not otherwise specified. The ASC : SIL ratio was 2.18 : 1. Follow‐up histology was available in 153 (36.8%) of the ASC cases and revealed CIN2+ lesions in 22 (14.4%). Follow‐up histology was available in 50 (44.2%) of LSIL cases and revealed clinically significant abnormalities in five (10%), all of which were CIN2. CIN3 and invasive squamous carcinomas were seen in 5.9% and 1.4%, respectively, of cases of ASC, and not seen in LSIL. Reclassification of ASC smears into ASC‐US (ASC‐undetermined significance) and ASC‐H (ASC‐ high grade SIL not excluded) revealed ASC‐H in 2.6% of all ASC smears, with a clinically significant outcome in 45.4%. Conclusion: In a low‐resource setting where human papillomavirus testing is unaffordable, the threshold for colposcopic referral and follow‐up histology should be ASC rather than SIL.     

Subtyping borderline nuclear changes: is it of value in predicting high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia on histology?

The aim was to determine the association between the subtypes of borderline nuclear changes (BNC) in cervical smears and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (HCIN). BNC was reported in 23236 smears received in our laboratory over a 7-year period, 3278 patients were referred for colposcopy. Analysis was restricted to 2007 cases, which fitted the criteria of: (1). consistent subtyping of borderline change and (2). cervical histology result within 12 months of the last abnormal smear. BNC was reported in six categories and correlated with histology. Atypia bordering on dyskaryosis, atypical metaplastic cells and endocervical atypia, were associated with HCIN in 25%, 25.4% and 23.8% of cases, respectively. Dyskeratosis and koilocytotic atypia were associated with HCIN in 19.2% and 13.7% of cases, respectively. Some subtypes of borderline change are more frequently associated with HCIN. The difference is not sufficient to dictate clinical management.     

Efficacy of a training programme designed to teach cervical smear screeners to identify ocular surface squamous neoplasia using conjunctival impression cytology

Efficacy of a training programme designed to teach cervical smear screeners to identify ocular surface squamous neoplasia using conjunctival impression cytology
Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is a recently proposed term introduced to encompass both intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva and cornea. A teaching programme incorporating a manual, slide sets, and an evaluation test was developed. The aim was to teach experienced cervical smear screeners to evaluate ocular surface specimens collected by conjunctival impression cytology, with a minimum of individual tuition. The use of the manual was well accepted and half of the original six candidates were able to master the new skill adequately within 8 h. It was considered that the differences between the cytology of OSSN and the equivalent lesions of the uterine cervix are sufficient to prevent some experienced screeners acquiring these skills rapidly.     

高级别上皮内瘤变和不同型别人乳头瘤病毒感染患者阴道微生态特征分析

探讨高级别上皮内瘤变（high level squamous intraepithelial lesion,HSIL）患者阴道微生态的特征及不同型别人乳头瘤病毒（human papilloma virus,HPV）感染对阴道微生态的影响。

收集我院健康女性（对照组,n=54）和HSIL患者（HSIL组,n=54）的阴道分泌物样本,提取其DNA,通过HPV试剂盒检测HPV型别,并使用16S rRNA基因高通量测序分析阴道菌群的组成结构及特征。

HSIL组女性HPV阳性率为88.9%,对照组女性HPV阳性率仅有11.1 %。与对照组相比,HSIL组女性阴道乳杆菌属相对丰度降低,加德纳菌属、普雷沃菌属、双歧杆菌属相对丰度增多,但差异均无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）。与HPV Others组相比,HPV CR组女性阴道阿托波菌属相对丰度显著降低（t=2.067,P=0.043）;加德纳菌属、链球菌属、肠球菌属相对丰度降低,双歧杆菌属相对丰度升高,但差异均无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）。

HSIL患者HPV感染率升高,不同型别HPV感染会对阴道微生态产生影响,提示对阴道微生态进行干预可能对宫颈病变产生调节作用。