8. Human papillomavirus mRNA testing for the detection of anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in HIV-positive men who have sex with men

Abstract

Background: Currently, screening for anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) relies on anal cytology and high-resolution anoscopy (HRA). Since this approach has limited sensitivity and specificity for detecting anal HSIL, there is increasing interest in the role of biomarkers for predicting anal HSIL. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of HPV E6/E7-mRNA expression for the detection of anal HSIL in MSM HIV-infected patients, in comparison to DNA-HR-HPV and anal cytology. Methods: This cross-sectional screening study included 101 MSM followed at the HIV-unit of La Paz University Hospital. Intra-anal swabs from patients participating in a screening program including cytology, HRA and histology were analysed. HR-HPV-DNA detection was performed by means of the CLART HPV2 assay (GENOMICA SAU.). E6/E7-mRNA detection of HR-HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33 and 45 was performed using the NucliSENS-EasyQ assay (BioMérieux, Marcy l’Etoile, France). Results: HR-HPV DNA and HPV E6/E7 mRNA were detected in 82% and 57% of the anal smears, respectively. Anal cytology screening was abnormal in 70.3%. For the detection of HSIL sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 71.7%, 55.6%, 57.9%, and 69.8% for E6/E7-mRNA testing, respectively, compared with 97.9%, 31.5%, 55.4% and 94.4%, respectively, for HR-HPV DNA testing and 83%, 40.7%, 54.9%, 73.3%, respectively, for cytology testing. Conclusions: In comparison with the other tests, the NucliSENS EasyQ HPV assay yielded a lower clinical sensitivity but a higher clinical specificity and PPV for the detection of anal HSIL in MSM HIV-infected patients.