Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Cervical screening is a method of preventing cancer by detecting and treating early abnormalities which, if left untreated, could lead to cervical cancer. Infection with some high-risk types of human papilloma virus (HPV) can increase the risk of developing cervical cancer. Evidence from several studies has shown that testing for HPV infection is more effective at preventing cervical cancer than cytology (taking a sample of cervical cells). The Xpert HPV test is a way to rapidly detect high-risk HPV infection. It is performed using a special liquid medium (PreservCyt). However, storage of the liquid is not practical. Our aim is to evaluate the possibility of women self-sampling using dry swabs for HPV detection with the Xpert HPV test.
Who can participate?
Women age over 18 attending the colposcopy clinic.
What does the study involve?
Each patient is asked to provide two samples for HPV testing. They are first asked to perform self-sampling using a dry swab and then the doctor or nurse collects a second sample using a liquid medium. All samples are tested for high-risk HPV using the same test (Xpert HPV test). Patients later obtain their HPV test results and are managed accordingly.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participating in the study has no direct and immediate benefits. However, if we prove that dry swabs are as good as the standard method for HPV detection using the Xpert HPV, it will help with cervical screening in developing countries by reducing the need for repeated visits. It will also help to increase participation in screening programs in developed countries by giving women alternatives for screening that might be more adapted to their busy schedule or budget. This study will not have any risks for the participants’ health.
Where is the study run from?
University Hospitals of Geneva (Switzerland).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2014 to October 2015.
Who is funding the study?
Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (Switzerland).
Who is the main contact?
Dr Rosa Catarino
Dr Rosa Catarino
Boulevard de la Cluse 30
Validation study of vaginal dry swabs using the Xpert HPV test for human papillomavirus diagnosis
Dry swabs performance is equivalent to the performance of standard physician-collected samples with swab immediately immersed in PreservCyt for HPV detection using the Xpert HPV test.
The Cantonal Human Research Ethics Commission of Geneva (CCER), 30/11/2014, CER: 14-228
Primary study design
Secondary study design
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Human papillomavirus infection
Women will be invited to perform two samplings for HPV testing. Women will firstly be asked to perform a Self-HPV using a dry swab (S-DRY) and then the physician or nurse will perform a cervical collection immersed in PreservCyt (dr-WET). All specimens will be tested for the same pathogens (HR-HPV) using the same diagnostic test (Xpert HPV). Later, the remaining sample immersed in PreservCyt will be tested for HPV DNA using cobas HPV test.
Primary outcome measures
Agreement between the S-DRY and dr-WET samples concerning HPV types and HPV positivity will be measured using the kappa statistic (ĸ).
Secondary outcome measures
1. Sensitivity and specificity will be calculated for each method, using the cobas HPV test results as reference. Cytological results will also be used as a reference.
2. We will also analyze invalid test results using the Xpert HPV test and the delay between self collection and HPV analysis
Overall trial start date
Overall trial end date
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Age ≥ 18 years
2. Attending colposcopy clinic
3. Understands study procedures and accepts voluntarily to participate by signing the informed consent form (ICF)
Target number of participants
Participant exclusion criteria
2. Previous hysterectomy
Recruitment start date
Recruitment end date
Countries of recruitment
Trial participating centre
University Hospitals of Geneva
Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève
Geneva University Hospitals, HUG
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
All data obtained from this study will be available. The results will be published in a scientific journal.
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Available on request
Results - basic reporting