Services

HPV Test

What is HPV?

HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus. It is a very common virus. There are about 100 types of HPV that affect different parts of the body. About 30 types of HPV can affect the genitals – including the vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, scrotum, rectum and anus. Of these, about 13 types are considered "high risk" and lead to cervical cancer.

HPV testing at Omnigen SA

The test is carried out using the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) method. Total genomic DNA is isolated from a cervical swab sample and tested for the presence of 41 HPV subtypes. For typing, the PCR product is subjected to hybridization with probes that are immobilized on micro-arrays (microarrays CE IVD – DNA chips) and recognize the 41 subtypes of the HPV virus. The result of the hybridization is visualized with a special analyzer and the analysis of the results is carried out with a special program (software).

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is a pathological cellular lesion that usually progresses over time. It can affect women of any age, but is more common in women over 40.

How common is HPV?

The occurrence of human papilloma virus (HPV) affecting the genitals is very common. It is estimated that up to 20 million people have an active HPV infection at any given time. In the United States of America, there are an estimated 5.5 million new cases of genital HPV infection each year. Most men and women – about 80% of sexually active people – have been infected with HPV at some point in their lives, but most people don't know they have the virus.

How can you be infected by HPV?

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is transmitted through sexual contact. Some types of HPV cause genital warts, which are hard, rough bumps that grow on the skin. Anyone who is sexually active can contract HPV.

What are the symptoms of HPV?

In many cases, HPV causes no symptoms. When these occur, the most common symptom is the presence of warts in the genital area. Signs of the infection can appear weeks, months or even years after contracting the virus.

How can HPV be diagnosed?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is detected in the following ways:

• Pap test – During the test, a sample of cells is collected from the vagina and cervix. The cells are then examined under the microscope for any morphological changes.
• HPV DNA test – The method detects genetic material (DNA) of the 41 subtypes of HPV, some of which are linked to cervical cancer. The sample used for the test is generally collected at the same time as the Pap test.
• Colposcopy – It is the examination of the skin and mucous membranes of the female genital system using a colposcope. The indication for a colposcopy is the finding of abnormal cells in the Pap test.

How is it treated?

Treatment methods – when required – are as follows:

• Cryosurgery – Freezing the warts with liquid nitrogen Electrosurgical procedure (LEEP) – using a special wire loop to remove abnormal cells.
• Electrosurgical procedure (LEEP) – using a special wire loop for the removal of abnormal cells.
• Laser treatment – using a laser to destroy warts and any abnormal cells.
• Medicated ointment – applying medicated ointments directly to the warts.

In some cases, no treatment is even needed. However, your doctor will closely monitor cell changes during the examination at regular appointments.   Only a small number of women infected with HPV will develop cell lesions that need to be treated.

Male Fertility Test

What is infertility?

Infertility is the term we use to describe the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of frequent promiscuous intercourse. For a better understanding of the term, we quote the comparative below.  Of the one hundred (100) couples who start trying to conceive at the same time (have unprotected sexual intercourse with a frequency of every 2-3 days throughout the cycle and for at least 12 months, and the woman is under 36 years old, eighty (80) will eventually (sooner or later) achieve a pregnancy. Of the remaining twenty (20) who will continue to have the same frequency of free intercourse for another 12 months, and age permitting, five ( 5) with ten (10) more they will achieve a pregnancy.Thus we see that after two years, the probability (cumulative) of pregnancy in the above couples reaches 90%.   Infertility therefore needs investigation when we have exhausted the possibilities of natural conception.

Male Infertility Test at Omnigen SA

Omnigen SA in collaboration with the largest IVF centers in Greece offers this service for the treatment of male infertility.  Omnigen SA as a leading biotechnology company in Greece provides the doctor with the necessary tools to deal with male infertility.

Η ανάλυση γίνεται με υπολογισμό του δείκτη κατάτμησης του DNA \(DNA Fragmentation Index, DFI) με την τεχνική TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling). Incorporation of Br-dUTP into sperm DNA breakpoints and labeling using monoclonal antibodies carrying the fluorescent dye FITC (FITC-labeled anti-BrdU mAb). Analysis of >10,000 sperm per sample by flow cytometry.

PAP test

What is PAP test?

It is a simple test in which the gynecologist examines the cervix to see if there are possible changes in the cells that are not due to hormonal changes or age.

Science as well as the whole world owes the discovery of the Pap test or Papanicolaou test to George Papanikolaou, the Greek doctor and biologist who during his scientific research discovered the original smear method for the time. He initially applied it in 1923 to women to study normal reproductive functions and then to diagnose uterine cancer.

His first announcement of its usefulness in the diagnosis of uterine cancer was made in 1928. Today, the method known internationally as the Pap test is used all over the world for the early diagnosis of neoplasms and has saved many women from its scourge cancer.

Pap test at Omnigen SA

The examination (Pap test) is done with the Liquid Phase Cytology method. After receiving the collection vial, the special identification tags are placed and the process begins to check cell changes for neoplasia, which can develop into cervical cancer.

Why should you have a Pap test?

Prevention is the best cure. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in the female population. However, it can be diagnosed early with the Pap test which shows the cell changes suspicious for neoplasia and which can develop into cervical cancer. In women who are not regularly screened with Pap smears, cervical cancer can develop without being noticed as it is not followed by symptoms. When symptoms appear, the disease will already be in an advanced stage.

The Pap test can also detect some sexually transmitted diseases, infections or even some herpes. In addition to detecting abnormal cells in a woman's cervix and endocervix, the Pap test can detect sinusitis, cervicitis, and infections.

When should you have your first Pap test?

The first examination by the gynecologist should be done as soon as possible after the first sexual intercourse or at the age of 21.

Thrombophilia Screening

What is Thrombophilia?

Thrombophilia is the pathological condition of hypercoagulability of the blood circulation in humans, resulting in the development of clots in organs and vessels in order to create dysfunction in the affected organ or organ system. These cases also include coagulation pathology during pregnancy, resulting in thromboembolic events in the pregnant woman or the fetus, and even fetal loss (miscarriage).

Pregnancy itself, even under normal conditions, modifies in the female organism the naturally given balance of coagulation and anticoagulation factors in favor of an existing balance of hypercoagulability of the circulation with the ultimate aim of protecting the pregnant woman from bleeding and the complications it causes during pregnancy. placental abruption in childbirth, whenever this occurs.

Thrombophilia testing at Omnigen SA

It is done by isolating DNA and testing thrombophilic factors with the Real-Time PCR methodology (Genotyping using the TaqMan assay (2008) Current Protocols in Human Genetics, (SUPPL. 56), pp. 2.10.1-2.10.8).

Cystic fibrosis

What is cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis, or fibrocystic disease, is the most common hereditary disease in the white race. Approximately 1 in 2000-2500 children are estimated to be born each year in Greece with cystic fibrosis, while 4-5% of the population are considered to be carriers.

Symptoms first appear within the first year of life, but may also appear later in childhood. The severity of symptoms varies. Symptoms of the respiratory system are persistent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath as well as repeated chest infections that cause damage to the lungs. Regarding the gastrointestinal symptoms, we distinguish malnutrition, which leads to little physical growth and low weight gain (even if the patient has a good appetite and eats a lot, as the problem is found in the digestion and absorption of food), swollen abdomen and constipation . Additional symptoms are recurrent sinus infections, polyps forming in the nose, liver damage that can lead to cirrhosis, diabetes, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), rectal prolapse, osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) that occurs due to poor absorption certain foods and especially vitamin D which is necessary to maintain healthy bones, and the very salty taste of sweat.

Prospective parents during prenatal screening undergo genetic testing for fibrocystic disease. The chances of a child with cystic fibrosis being born to parents who are carriers (both) are one in four.

Cystic Fibrosis Examination at Omnigen SA

The purpose of the examination is to check for the possible presence of pathogenic mutations in the CFTR gene (Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator), which are responsible for the manifestation of cystic fibrosis. The disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.

Methods:

• Detection of point mutations (base substitutions & deletions/duplications of a small number of bases) through direct identification (sequencing) selectively in exons 4 and 10 of the CFTR gene including intron-exon boundaries, in which 169 pathogenic mutations have been recorded, according to the data of the international "Cystic Fibrosis Mutation database".
• Detection of 32 CFTR gene mutations with the Abbott Cystic Fibrosis Genotyping Assay (CE, IVD) product.
• Detection of the deletion of exons 2 and 3 (21kb deletion) of the CFTR gene by gap-PCR.
The above screening allows the detection of 202 pathogenic mutations and covers 90% of the pathogenic mutations recorded in international databases.