Services

Pathology Consultants uses the FDA-approved APTIMA HPV Assay, in vitro nucleic acid

amplification tests to detect high-risk HPV types. The APTIMA HPV screening assay detects 14high-risk HPV types (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51,52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68). The APTIMA 16, 18/45 assay can be added to Pap tests which are found to be positive by the screening assay. The APTIMA 16, 18/45 assay allows specific detection of HPV types 16 and/or HPV types 18/45. HPV types 16, 18, and 45 are associated with the majority of invasive carcinomas of the cervix. The APTIMA 16, 18/45 assay may aid in identifying women who are at increased risk of a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) or invasive carcinoma; and the detection of HPV 16, 18, or 45 may change diagnostic workup for some women.

When completing the Pathology Consultants Gyn requisition form, the clinician may choose to order HPV testing with the Pap test regardless of the Pap test result (Pap test and HPV co-test), reflex HPV testing if the Pap test is ASCUS, or HPV testing without a Pap test evaluation. The desired HPV option must be selected and marked on the GYN requisition form for the testing to be performed. The GYN requisition form has several options, which are separated by patient age. The preferred age-specific method of testing per the Updated Consensus Guidelines for Managing Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Tests and Cancer Precursors published by the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) are indicated as such on the requisition form to aid in HPV testing selection.

If a clinician wishes to order the HPV test as an add-on, it may be added through our electronic order entry system or by calling Pathology Consultants, P.C. at 701-222-2480 (1-800-659-0395) within 21 days of sample collection.