Role of HPV typing 

Currently HPV testing has been indicated for the following:

   -triaging ASCUS pap smears (Atypical Squamous Cells of     Undetermined Signficance). Those patients with high risk HPV types should have a colposcopy, whereas those without high risk HPV types should be considered normal and repeat screening in a year.

   -used in conjunction with a Pap smear in women over 30 years of age, since women without carcinogenic HPV infection are at extremely low risk for clinically relevant cervical disease for many years.

Pap smears alone have a high risk of being falsely normal, however those done in conjunction with additional testing for oncogenic HPV types have an improved sensitivity of about 50 percent.