A Study of Cervical Cytological Changes in Hiv Positive Patients

Background: Gynaecological conditions are extremely common among women infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. These include pelvic inflammatory disease, Sexually Transmitted Diseases like syphilis, Herpes, Cytomegalo virus, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis etc. Objectives: The purpose of the study is to characterize the cervical cytological changes in HIV seropositive women. Materials & Methods: This cross sectional study was based on 200 patients with HIVinfection /AIDS, who attended the department of pathology and Gynaecology , Guntur medical college,Guntur. Results: The study revealed maximum number of inflammatory smears (81.3%), followed by smears showing squamous intra epithelial lesion (13.82%). Conclusion: PAP smear can be recommended as a part of routine medical examination in gynaecological practice as it is a simple, cost effective, low risk procedure.