Journal of lower genital tract disease
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Diagnostic Accuracy of MiRNA Panels for Endometrial Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Jun 23, 2026

The authors aimed to systematically evaluate the diagnostic performance of miRNA panels for endometrial cancer. Their meta-analysis of nine studies involving 531 participants found that miRNA panels demonstrated high sensitivity (90%) and specificity (93%), along with a strong overall diagnostic accuracy (AUC of 0.94). However, they noted significant heterogeneity and methodological limitations, suggesting the need for further large-scale studies before these panels can be routinely used in clinical practice.

Diagnostic Strategies After Negative Colposcopy in High-Grade Cervical Cytology: A Multicenter Randomized Trial

Jun 17, 2026

The authors aimed to compare different diagnostic strategies for detecting high-grade cervical lesions (HSIL+) in women with high-grade cytology results and negative colposcopy. Their multicenter randomized trial found that HPV testing combined with liquid-based cytology (LBC) offered a balanced approach, while adding endocervical brushing significantly increased sensitivity for detecting HSIL+ cases, albeit with a reduction in specificity. Overall, the study suggests that these combined strategies can enhance diagnostic safety in this patient population.

Bacterial and Fungal Profiles in Mixed Vaginitis Versus Bacterial Vaginosis

Jun 4, 2026

This study aimed to compare the clinical and microbiological characteristics of women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) alone versus those with mixed vaginitis (MV), which includes BV and Candida infection. The findings revealed that MV was associated with symptoms like itching and discharge, while BV was often asymptomatic and linked to specific anaerobic bacteria. Additionally, the study highlighted the prevalence of lactobacilli in MV and identified Candida albicans as the predominant fungus in this group.

Human Papillomavirus Test Agreement Between Self-Collected Vaginal and Clinician-Collected Cervical Specimens

May 25, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the agreement between human papillomavirus (HPV) tests from self-collected vaginal specimens and clinician-collected cervical specimens to support the use of self-collection for cervical cancer screening. The study found high agreement rates for HPV detection in both in-clinic and at-home self-collected samples compared to clinician-collected specimens, although the positive agreement for HPV18 in at-home samples was notably low. These results suggest that self-collection could be a viable option to enhance access to cervical cancer screening.

Recurrence in High-grade Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A Comprehensive Cohort Analysis

May 15, 2026

The study aimed to characterize the recurrence rates and associated risks of high-grade vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), specifically comparing HPV-associated high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and HPV-independent VIN (HPVi-VIN), in a large cohort over long-term follow-up. Findings revealed that recurrence occurred in 50% of HSIL and 63% of HPVi-VIN patients, with a notable increase in cancer risk upon recurrence, particularly in HPVi-VIN patients. The authors concluded that both HSIL and HPVi-VIN patients are at significant risk for recurrence and subsequent cancer development.

Investigation of Blood Folate and Vitamin B12 Levels in Women With Human Papillomavirus: A Systematic Review

May 14, 2026

This systematic review investigates the relationship between blood folate and vitamin B12 levels in women infected with human papillomavirus (HPV). The authors found that most studies reported lower folate levels in HPV-positive women, while the association with vitamin B12 was less consistent. They conclude that while there appears to be a link between these vitamin levels and HPV infection, further research is necessary to determine the causal relationship and underlying mechanisms.

Clinical Characteristics and Diagnostic Markers of Genital Varicella-zoster in Women: A 12-year Retrospective Cohort

May 8, 2026

The authors aimed to characterize the clinical features and diagnostic challenges of genital varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation in women, given its rarity and frequent misdiagnosis. Their retrospective study of 21 female patients revealed that genital zoster is often misidentified as herpes simplex virus (HSV) or other conditions, highlighting key features such as unilateral distribution, pain, and extragenital extension that could improve diagnostic accuracy. The findings underscore the need for better recognition of genital zoster to reduce misclassification and associated psychosocial impacts.

Association Between Salivary and Cervical Human Papillomavirus in Women With a History of Oral Sex

May 1, 2026

This study aimed to investigate the presence of HPV DNA in the saliva of Iranian women with confirmed genital HPV infection and a history of oral-genital contact. The results showed that 22.1% of participants had detectable salivary HPV, with a higher prevalence of high-risk genotypes among those with concurrent oral and genital infections. However, the clinical significance of these findings remains unclear, and the authors suggest that further research is needed before routine oral HPV screening can be recommended.

Vulvar Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (LSIL) and Small Condyloma are Overlapping Clinicopathologic Entities

Apr 28, 2026

The authors aim to clarify the clinicopathologic features that differentiate vulvar low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) from small condylomas to improve diagnostic criteria. Their study reveals that while both conditions share overlapping characteristics, LSIL is typically associated with a smoother surface and higher p16 positivity, whereas condylomas exhibit greater epithelial thickness and irregular morphology. The findings highlight the importance of careful histopathological evaluation in distinguishing these lesions, often discovered incidentally during assessments for other conditions.

HPV Detection in Clinician-Collected, Self-Collected Vagina, Urine, and Menstrual Blood Samples

Apr 28, 2026

This study aims to evaluate the concordance, sensitivity, and specificity of self-collected vaginal, urine, and menstrual blood samples for detecting high-risk human papillomavirus (HrHPV) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) compared to clinician-collected samples in cervical cancer screening. The findings indicate that while self-collected samples show moderate to good concordance with clinician-collected samples for HrHPV detection, only self-collected vaginal samples exhibit comparable sensitivity and specificity for HSIL detection.