Hybrid capture is a molecular examination capable of diagnosing the HPV virus even though the first symptoms of the disease have not appeared. It allows identifying 18 types of HPV, divided into low risk group or group A, that do not cause cancer and high risk or group B, which can cause cancer. For the low-risk group, 5 types of HPV are detected, and for the high-risk group, 13 types are detected. See the symptoms of HPV.
The result of the hybrid capture is given by the RLU / PC ratio which is related to the technique and is positive when the ratio RLU / PCA for group A and / or RLU / PCB viruses to group B viruses are equal to or greater than 1.
The HPV hybrid screening test should be done by all women who have had a pap smear change or who are in the HPV risk group, such as those with many sexual partners. This exam costs between $ 100 and $ 200, but is offered by the SUS.
How is the exam done?
The hybrid capture test is done by scraping a small sample of the vaginal mucus in the cervix, vagina or vulva, for example, which is placed in a test tube and sent to the laboratory for analysis. This test can also be done with anal or oral secretion. In man, the material used comes from secretions of the glans, urethra or penis.
The collected material is sent to the laboratory, where it is performed in a semi-automated equipment, which performs the reactions and from the obtained results, releases the laboratory conclusion, which is analyzed by the physician.
The hybrid capture exam does not hurt, but the person may have some discomfort at the time of collection.
Preparation of the hybrid capture exam
To perform the hybrid capture test the woman should make an appointment with a gynecologist and not have sex 3 days before the appointment, not be menstruating and have not used any type of shower or vaginal lavage for 1 week, as these factors may change the fidelity of the exam and give a false-positive or false-negative result.
The preparation of the hybrid capture test in humans also includes not having sex 3 days before and in case of collection through the urethra, also being there for at least 4 hours without urinating and in case of collection through the penis, a minimum of 8 hours without local hygiene.
