• Absence or Presence of High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion in Cervical Conization Specimens: A Clinicopathologic Study of 540 Cases

      Walavalkar, Vighnesh; Stockl, Thomas J.; Owens, Christopher L.; Manning, Mark; Papa, Debra; Li, Anjie; Khan, Ashraf; Liu, Yuxin (2016-01-01)
      OBJECTIVES: To explore the implications of cervical conization specimens lacking the targeted high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (negative cone). METHODS: We studied 540 conization procedures: 400 positive cones and 140 negative cones. Clinicopathologic features and 2-year follow-up results were reported. RESULTS: Negative cones comprised 22% of procedures triggered by CIN2 or higher biopsies. Procedures triggered by cytology produced much higher percentages of negative cones (37% high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [HSIL], 46% atypical squamous cells-cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [ASC-H], and 76% low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion-cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [LSIL-H]). Upon reviewing negative excision-triggering biopsy and cytology, we downgraded 24 (24%) CIN2 biopsies, three (14%) HSIL, five (83%) ASC-H, and 12 (92%) LSIL-H. One-third of our negative cones can be attributed to overdiagnosis either on biopsy or cytology. Patients with negative cones were older and had smaller excisions, negative colposcopic findings, and negative/equivocal high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV). Within 2 years, 35 (25%) women with negative cones experienced ASCUS or LSIL. Only one (0.7%) recurred as CIN3, a significantly lower percentage than women with positive cones (13%). CONCLUSIONS: We advocate careful review of all excision-triggering biopsy and cytology, especially in cases of LSIL-H. Patients with negative cones should be surveyed with cytology and HR-HPV testing.
    • Condylomata acuminata (anogenital warts) contain accumulations of HIV-1 target cells that may provide portals for HIV transmission

      Pudney, Jeffrey; Wangu, Zoon; Panther, Lori; Fugelso, Dana; Marathe, Jai; Sagar, Manish; Politch, Joseph A.; Anderson, Deborah J. (2019-01-07)
      Background: Condylomata acuminata [anogenital warts (AGW)] are prevalent in HIV-infected individuals and sexually active populations at risk for HIV acquisition, and have been associated with HIV transmission. We compared AGW to control tissue for abundance, types and location of HIV-target cells, and for susceptibility to HIV infection in vitro, to provide biological evidence that AGW facilitate HIV transmission. Methods: We used immunohistology to identify HIV-target cells in AGW and control skin. We also inoculated AGW and control tissue from HIV-negative men with HIV in vitro, and assessed infection by TZM-bl and p24 assays. Results: CD1a+ dendritic cells, CD4+ T cells and macrophages were significantly more abundant in the epidermis of AGW than control tissue. These HIV target cells also often appeared in large focal accumulations in the dermis of AGW. Two out of 8 AGW vs. 0 of 8 control tissues showed robust infection with HIV in vitro. Conclusions: Compared to normal skin, AGW contain significantly higher concentrations of HIV-target cells that may be susceptible to HIV infection. Condylomata may thus promote HIV transmission, especially in the setting of typical lesion vascularity and friability. Prevention or treatment of AGW may decrease the sexual transmission of HIV.
    • HPV Vaccine Reminders at the Point of Service: Efficacy and Missed Opportunities. A Claims Based Study within One Health Plan

      Magee, B. Dale; Leung, Katherine G.; Moore Simas, Tiffany A. (2016-12-01)
      Introduction: Our objective is to assess HPV vaccine series completion rates, whether on-screen Point of Service reminders (POS) make a difference, and missed opportunities for reminders to have an effect. Methods: Retrospective, claims-based study of females aged 9-26 receiving an initial dose of HPV vaccine during 2 periods: before (period 1) and after (period 2) implementation of a POS reminder system in 1(“Change Group”) of 2 physician groups using EHRs for both periods. Completion rates, and missed opportunities during eligible periods were calculated for those with continuous enrollment in the health plan investigated. Results: Completion rates within 1 year of the 1st dose were Period 1: 47% Change Group vs. 46% Control Group (p=0.847). Period 2: 50% Change group vs. 57% Control Group (p=0.158). No significant improvement occurred between the 2 periods in either group. Differences in 1 year completion rates by specialty of initiating provider or age group (≥18) were not significant. During period 2, among those with continuous insurance plan enrollment in the Change Group, 43 patients received 1 dose and 46 received 2 doses. Of those receiving 1 dose, 30 (70%) had a visit to the same group within an eligible time period (median # visits: 2, range 1-20); of those completing 2 doses, 4 (9%) had a visit to the same group within an eligible period (median # visits: 1, range: 1-3). Among those receiving 1 dose, 25 (58%) had a visit to the same group and same specialty as the initial dose (median # visits: 1, range 1-8); for those having received 2 doses, 3 (6%) had a subsequent visit to same group and specialty (median # visits: 1, range 1-3). Conclusion: POS reminder systems was not associated with improved completion rates. POS reminders are limited by infrequent visits among non-completers in an eligible period.
    • Missed Opportunities in HPV Vaccination

      Magee, B. Dale; Davidson, AuTumn S.; Regh, Leslie (2013-11-01)
      Objective: To use the 3 dose Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine administration (given at 0, 1-2 and 6 months) to quantify opportunities to improve efficacy in the delivery of preventive health services. Methods: This was a retrospective, claims-based analysis using data provided by a single managed care plan. Female patients aged 9-26 who were continuously enrolled between 2009 through 2011 and received ≥ dose of the HPV vaccine during 2010 were analyzed. The proportion of initiators who did and did not completed the vaccine series, the timing and location of doses, and the number of outpatient visits during which the vaccine could have been given to non-completers were determined. Results: 1,830 patients were analyzed in the 2010 sample. 843 (46%) were continuously enrolled during the three-year observation period. 500 (59%) completed 3 doses. Among completers, the interval range between doses 1 and 2 was 27-619 days (median 96 days). The interval range between doses 2 and 3 was 32-621 days (median 127 days). 261 (52%) completers received dose 2, and 139 (28%) received does 3 over 1 month late. Among the 343 non-completers, 137 (40%), and 206 (60%) completed 1 and 2 doses, respectively. 63% of single-dose recipients and 17% of 2-dose recipients had at least 1 visit within the eligible time period for administration. Conclusion: Nearly half of HPV vaccine initiators do not complete the vaccine series. Of those who do, a large percentage complete it late. This example quantifies the potential for reminders, registries and outreach to improve on-time dosage and completion.