Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in cervical cancer screening tests: A series of 8 cases and review of the literature

Objective: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous infection typically affecting over 50% of the US population by age 40. We report 8 cases of CMV infections detected in cervical cancer screening tests, the largest series of cases thus far reported in gynecologic cytology specimens.

Methods: A retrospective review of our pathology archival computer database was performed from January 1, 1994 through December 31, 2016 for CMV infections reported in cervical cytology specimens. The slides were retrieved for review if available.

Results: The eight patients ranged in age from 21-46 years, with a median age of 27 years and average age of 29.5 years. Two patients were significantly immunocompromised with one patient having AIDS and one patient diagnosed with autoimmune disease. The remaining six patients are considered immunocompetent. Cases were identified most often in the fall and winter months (6 of 8 cases). Seven cases were found using Surepath Pap (SP) liquid-based processing and one case was reported in a classic Papanicolaou smear (CPS).

Conclusion: There was no correlation of cytologic presentation of CMV with a distinct cytohormonal pattern or inflammatory constituents. Rare diagnostic cells with changes of CMV infection were seen in 75% of the cases. The presence of CMV did not usually result in adverse patient outcome, except where CMV was one of the multiple opportunistic infections detected in the patient with AIDS.