Persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is the cause of cervical cancer and its precursor cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The presence of HPV has been implicated in greater than 99% of cervical cancers, worldwide. HPV is a small, non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus, with a genome of approximately 8000 nucleotides. There are more than 118 different types of HPV and approximately 40 different HPVs that can infect the human anogenital mucosa. However, data suggest that 14 of these types (HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68) are considered high risk (HR) for the development of cervical cancer and its precursor lesions. Furthermore, HPV types 16 and 18 have been regarded as the genotypes most closely associated with progression to cervical cancer. HPV-16 is the most carcinogenic and is associated with approximately 60% of all cervical cancers, while HPV-18 accounts for approximately 10% to 15% of cervical cancers.

A positive result indicates the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA due to 1 or more of the following genotypes: 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68. A negative result indicates the absence of HPV DNA of the targeted genotypes. For patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) Pap smear result and who are positive for high-risk (HR) HPV, consider referral for colposcopy, if clinically indicated. For women aged 30 years and older with a negative Pap smear result but who are positive for HPV-16 and/or HPV-18, consider referral for colposcopy, if clinically indicated. For women aged 30 years and older with a negative Pap smear, positive-HR-HPV test result, but who are negative for HPV-16 and HPV-18, consider repeat testing by both cytology and a HR-HPV test in 12 months.