Dataset Information

A comparison of cotton and flocked swabs for vaginal self-sample collection.

ABSTRACT: Objective:Vaginal self-sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing has recently been proposed to optimize cervical cancer screening coverage. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of self-taken samples using flocked and cotton swabs for HPV detection and cellular retrieval. Methods:We recruited women aged 21-65 years, referred to colposcopy at the Division of Gynecology of the Geneva University Hospitals between May and September 2016. Each participant collected 2 vaginal samples: 1 with a cotton swab and 1 with a flocked swab. A 1:1 randomization determined the order in which the 2 samples were taken. The swabs were introduced into a 20 mL PreservCyt® vial. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis using the Anyplex™ II HPV HR assay, cytofluorometric analysis and cytological cell counting were performed on each sample. Results:A total of 119 participants were recruited in the study. Their mean ± standard deviation age was 35.1±8.9 years. The HPV prevalence was 29.7% and 38.1% according to the cotton and flocked swab, respectively (p=0.006). The mean number of cells collected per milliliter according to cytofluorometry was 96,726.6 with the cotton swab and 425,544.3 with the flocked swab (p<0.001). The mean number of cells detected at cytological cell count was 13,130.42 using the cotton swab and 17,503.6 using the flocked swab (p<0.001). Conclusion:The flocked swab achieved a greater cellular retrieval and showed an improved performance in HPV detection. Further studies are needed to assess the usability and cost-effectiveness of the 2 self-sampling devices.

SUBMITTER: Viviano M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5960235 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A comparison of cotton and flocked swabs for vaginal self-sample collection.

Viviano Manuela M Willame Alexia A Cohen Marie M Benski Anne-Caroline AC Catarino Rosa R Wuillemin Christine C Tran Phuong Lien PL Petignat Patrick P Vassilakos Pierre P

International journal of women's health 20180515

<h4>Objective</h4>Vaginal self-sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing has recently been proposed to optimize cervical cancer screening coverage. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of self-taken samples using flocked and cotton swabs for HPV detection and cellular retrieval.<h4>Methods</h4>We recruited women aged 21-65 years, referred to colposcopy at the Division of Gynecology of the Geneva University Hospitals between May and September 2016. Each participant col ...[more]

PMID: 29805267

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Project description:BackgroundPolymerase chain reaction-based Xpert human papillomavirus (HPV) assay is a rapid test that detects high-risk HPV (hrHPV) infection. This point-of-care test is usually performed by collecting a cervical specimen in a vial of PreservCyt® transport medium. We compared HPV test positivity and accuracy between self-collected sample with a dry swab (s-DRY) versus physician-collected cervical sampling using a broom like brush and immediate immersion in PreservCyt (dr-WET).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we recruited 150 women ? 18 years old attending the colposcopy clinic in the University Hospital of Geneva. Each participant first self-collected a vaginal sample using a dry swab and then the physician collected a cervical specimen in PreservCyt. HPV analysis was performed with Xpert. Part of the PreservCyt-collected sample was used for hrHPV detection with the cobas® HPV test. HPV test positivity and performance of the two collection methods was compared.ResultsHPV positivity was 49.1% for s-DRY, 41.8% for dr-WET and 46.2% for cobas. Good agreement was found between s-DRY and dr-WET samples (kappa±Standard error (SE) = 0.64±0.09,), particularly for low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL+) (kappa±SE = 0.80±0.17). Excellent agreement was found between the two samples for HPV16 detection in general (kappa±SE = 0.91±0.09) and among LSIL+ lesions (kappa±SE = 1.00±0.17). Sensitivities and specificities were, respectively, 84.2% and 47.1%(s-DRY), 73.1% and 58.7%. (dr-WET) and 77.8% and 45.7% (cobas) for CIN2+ detection. The median delay between sampling and HPV analysis was 7 days for the Xpert HPV assay and 19 days for cobas. There were 36 (24.0%) invalid results among s-DRY samples and 4 (2.7%) among dr-WET (p = 0.001). Invalid results happened due to the long interval between collection and analysis.ConclusionSelf-collected vaginal dry swabs are a valid alternative to collecting cervical samples in PreservCyt solution for HPV testing with the Xpert HPV assay.ImpactHPV self-collection with dry cotton swabs might assist in the implementation of an effective screening strategy in developing countries.Trial registrationInternational Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Registry ISRCTN83050913.

Project description:BackgroundA normal number of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) and K-deleting recombination excision circles (KRECs) is considered a biomarker for adequate new T- and B-cell production. In newborns, detection of TRECs and KRECs by real time PCR from dried blood spotted on filter paper is used for the screening of severe immunodeficiency. In adults, elderly and during diseases, where the number of TRECs is lower than in newborns and children, a large amount of DNA and a sensitive method of amplification are necessary to identify newly produced lymphocytes.MethodsDNA was prepared from blood of 203 healthy adults (range: 18-91 years old) absorbed for 10 s on flocked swabs and let to dry, or from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. DNA was subjected to digital PCR and to well established conventional real time PCR-based method using TREC- and KREC-specific primers and probes. The number of TRECs and KRECs was expressed per mL of blood. Statistical analysis was performed by nested ANOVA, Pearson coefficient of determination, and by linear regression tests.ResultsThe novel method for the storage of dried blood on nylon flocked swabs and the use of digital PCR allow quantification of TRECs and KRECs with high degree of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision. TRECs and KRECs were amplified by digital PCR in all tested blood samples, including those obtained from elderly individuals (>70 years old) and that were negative by real time PCR. Furthermore, values of TRECs and KRECs obtained by digital PCR were in the range of those acquired by real time PCR.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that DNA isolation from dried blood on flocked swabs followed by digital PCR-based analysis represents a useful tool for studying new lymphocyte production in adults and elderly individuals. This suggests the potential use of the methodology when monitoring of clinical variables is limited by the number of molecules that can be amplified and detected, such as in patients with immunodeficiency or under immunosuppressive therapies.

Project description:Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by bacteria from the genus Brucella. Once established, it is very hard to eradicate this disease, since it contaminates animals, the environment, and humans, causing problems for veterinary and public health as well as wildlife protection programs. Swabs are used for sampling in bacteriological and/or molecular diagnostics, from seropositive animals with disease symptoms, from genitalia or tissue lesions, as well as from contaminated environments. The aim of this study was to compare main of the commercially used swab types for sampling and diagnostics of Brucella spp. and determine the optimal storage conditions and time frame for testing. To achieve this, we tested bacterial and molecular methods for detection of Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, and Brucella suis using nine swab types, all with different tip materials, treated immediately after spiking, after 72 h at +4°C, and after 72 h at -20°C. Flocked swabs showed the highest capacity to preserve bacterial viability and DNA quality, regardless the storage conditions. Flocked swabs immersed in a protective medium provided the best conditions for Brucella survival in all three storage conditions. At the same time, the efficacy of quantitative PCR (qPCR) detection for all swabs, including the positive control, was above 50%, irrespective of the storage conditions, while bacterial survival was significantly lowered when swabs were kept at +4°C or -20°C for 72 h (48.2% and 27.5%, respectively). Compared to the positive control and other types, the flocked swabs maintained higher reproducibility regarding their capacity to preserve live bacteria in all three storage conditions. IMPORTANCE In order to protect public and veterinary health from highly zoonotic bacteria such as members of the genus Brucella and prevent their dissemination into the environment, direct diagnostics are of utmost importance. However, in addition to the highly specific diagnostic tests, the sampling methods, time necessary for specimens to reach the laboratories, and transport conditions are important factors to consider in order to increase the sensitivity of performed tests, especially bacterial culturing and qPCR. This paper shows how different swab types and storage conditions influence classical bacteriological diagnostics of the most prevalent Brucella species - B. melitensis, B. abortus, and B. suis - but have little impact on molecular methods. The presented results highlight (i) the choice of swab regarding the storage and transport conditions, (ii) the importance of immediate swab treatment upon sampling, and (iii) that molecular methods do not depend on storage conditions, unlike classical bacteriological isolation.

Dataset Information

A comparison of cotton and flocked swabs for vaginal self-sample collection.

Publications

A comparison of cotton and flocked swabs for vaginal self-sample collection.

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