Abstract: Objective 　To define the significance of high-risk human papillomavirus DNA ( HR-HPV DNA) testing in reclassification of atypical squamous cell (ASC), and provide scientific basis for its clinical utility. Methods 　A total of 9034 women were enrolled in a cervical cancer screening program in Shanxi China, in 2002. In this program, all subjects were examined by liquid2based cytology, HR-HPV DNA testing and unaided visual inspection with acetic acid (5 %) . Of them, the cases of ASC with positive HPV DNA and negative HPV DNA-positive unaided visual inspection were taken colposcopic biopsy. We compared the incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) between the positive HPV DNA group of ASC and the negative HPV DNA-positive unaided visual inspection group of ASC. Results 　There were 548 cases of ASC, who were taken colposcopic biopsy. Of the 548 cases, 333 (60. 8 %) cases were HPV DNA-positive, 215 (39. 2 %) cases were negative HPV DNA-positive unaided visual inspection. In HPV DNA positive group, the incidence of CIN is 22. 5 %,while the incidence of CIN2/ 3 is 7. 8 %. Both were significantly higher than that of negative HPV DNA2positive unaided visual inspection group (5. 1 % and 0. 9 %) . Conclusion 　HR-HPV DNA testing is a feasible method for reclassification of ASC.