Comparison of cytologic findings between specimens with and without high-risk HPV infection in those with ASC-US judgement

The objective of the study was to realize whether specific signatures for high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) infection exist in the cytologic specimens with ASC-US judgement or not. The materials are 132 cytologic specimens with the diagnosis of ASC-US, including 56 cases with positive and 76 cases with negative HPV infection. Cytological findings are compared between two groups. Immature squamous metaplastic cells with nuclear atypia, SFT/IMT dyskaryotic cells, atypical parakeratosis, smudgy nuclei and multinucleated cells are the signature of high-risk HPV infection, whereas in the HPV(−) group immature metaplastic cells without atypia, moderately mature metaplastic cells without nuclear atypia and atrophic background are more popular. Instead, there are no differences on SFT/IMT background, microorganism infection and koilocytosis with or without nuclear atypia in both groups. The specific findings to confirm high-risk HPV infection are realized and the present results will contribute to decrease an unnecessary ASC-US judgement.