Diagnostic value of flow cytometry in detecting human papillomavirus E6/E7 mRNA in cervical lesions

Abstract

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of flow cytometry in detecting HPV E6/E7 mRNA of human papilloma virus (HPV) in the diagnosis of cervical lesions. Methods From January 2017 to September 2018, 119 women with suspected cervical lesions in the department of gynecology and obstetrics of Shanxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital were selected.Flow cytometry was used to detect HPV E6 / E7 mRNA in cervical exfoliated cells of women, and the DNA of HPV was detected by the method of hybrid capture 2 (HC2). Results 31.09% (37/119) HPV E6/E7 mRNA and 57.14% (68 / 119) HPV DNA were positive in 119 cases.The positive rate of HPV E6/E7 mRNA in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)2+ group was 77.78% (28/36), which was statistically significant compared with 20.00% (4/20) in CIN1 group (χ2=15.246, P<0.01), and was statistically significant compared with 7.94% (5/63) in nilm group (χ2=50.286, P<0.01). In nilm group, HPV E6 / E7 mRNA positive rate was 7.94% (5/63) and HPV DNA positive rate was 30.16% (19 / 63), which was statistically significant (χ2=10.088, P=0.001). In cin1 group, HPV E6/ E7 mRNA positive rate was 20.00% (4 / 20) and HPV DNA positive rate was 85.00% (17/20), which was statistically significant (χ2=14.436, P<0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of HPV E6 / E7 mRNA detected by flow cytometry were 75.00%, 89.16%, 72.72% and 90.24%, respectively.The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value ofthe detection of HPV DNA by HC2 were 88.89%, 56.63%, 47.06% and 92.16%, respectively. Conclusion The specificity and positive predictive value of HPV E6 / E7 mRNA detected by flow cytometry were better than those detected by HC2.The detection of HPV E6 / E7 mRNA has potential clinical value in cervical precancerous lesions screening. Key words: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; Flow cytometry; Papillomavirus family; Papillomavirus E7 Proteins