Urine testing is an acceptable alternative to detect cervical human papillomavirus (HPV), according to a review study published online Sept. 16 in the British Medical Journal. While testing first-void urine samples has the best accuracy, the authors caution that lack of standardized testing methods should be addressed prior to incorporating the method into cervical cancer screening guidelines. While cervical cancer is largely preventable and treatable, screening for the malignancy may be limited due to the acceptability of the invasive nature of cervical cytology sampling, and access may be hampered by the need for a clinician. Urine-based testing may overcome these screening barriers. The authors say urine testing could also be used for post-vaccination HPV surveillance programs, where pelvic examination is not practical. The U.K.-based researchers conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of studies assessing urine test accuracy (HPV DNA) in sexually active women versus detection of cervical HPV DNA. Sixteen of the 21 identified articles (including 1,443 women) were included in the meta-analysis. Most studies utilized conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods (n = 18) on first-void urine samples (n = 12), although the authors acknowledge that testing methods were not uniform. Two of the 21 studies used nested […]