Diagnose primary or metastatic neoplasm; detect Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The HPV test specifically identifies types HPV16 and HPV18 while concurrently detecting the rest of the high-risk types: 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68 without further specific differentiation.
Failure to obtain adequate ectocervical, endocervical, or vaginal cell population is suboptimal for evaluation. Excessive use of lubricating jelly on the vaginal speculum will interfere with cytologic examination and may lead to unsatisfactory Pap results.
The use of the liquid-based cytology specimen for multiple tests may limit the volume available for Pap processing or HPV testing. Detection of high-risk HPV is dependent on the number of copies present in the specimen and may be affected by specimen collection methods, patient factors, stage of infection and the presence of interfering substances.
Testing for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae requires special procedures to be used in the processing of the cytology specimen; therefore, testing for these organisms cannot be added on after the specimen has been submitted. The liquid-based cytology specimen must be processed for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae testing.
Any time a transport device used for molecular testing is processed, the chance of cross-specimen contamination increases. Aptima® transports can be placed directly on the analyzer, limiting the possibility of cross-specimen contamination.