Prevalence of papillomavirus infection in women in Ibadan, Nigeria: a population-based study

To investigate the prevalence of and the risk factors for cervical infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) in an inner-city area of Ibadan, Nigeria, we interviewed and obtained a sample of cervical cells from 932 sexually active women aged 15 years or older. A total of 32 different HPV types were identified with an HPV prevalence of 26.3% overall and 24.8% among women without cervical lesions; or age-standardised to the world standard population of 28.3 and 27.3%, respectively. High-risk HPV types predominated, most notably HPV 16, 31, 35 and 58. In all, 33.5% of infections involved more than one HPV type. Unlike most populations studied so far, HPV prevalence was high not only among young women, but also in middle and old age. Single women (odds ratio, OR=2.1; 95% confidence interval, CI=1.1-3.9) and illiterate women (OR=1.7; 95%CI=1.1-2.5) showed increased HPV positivity. Associations were also found with anti-Herpes simplex-2 antibodies (OR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.1-2.1) and with the husband's extramarital relationships (OR=1.6: 95% CI: 1.0-2.6). High prevalence of HPV in all age groups may be a distinctive feature of populations where HPV transmission continues into middle age and cervical cancer incidence is very high.     

Prevalence of human papillomavirus in Indonesia: a population-based study in three regions

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in the Indonesian population, yet little is known about the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV). We investigated age-specific prevalence of HPV types and possible risk factors of HPV positivity in a population-based sample of 2686 women, aged 15-70 years, in Jakarta, Tasikmalaya, and Bali, Indonesia. The overall HPV prevalence was 11.4%, age-standardized to the world standard population 11.6%. The most prevalent types found were HPV 52, HPV 16, HPV 18, and HPV 39, respectively, 23.2, 18.0, 16.1, and 11.8% of the high-risk HPV types. In 20.7% of infections, multiple types were involved. Different age-specific prevalence patterns were seen: overall high in Jakarta, and in Tasikmalaya, and declining with age in Bali. The number of marriages was most associated with HPV positivity (OR 1.81 95% CI 1.31-2.51)). Remarkably, in Indonesia HPV 16 and HPV 18 are equally common in the general population, as they are in cervical cancer. HPV 52 was the most prevalent type in the general population, suggesting that this type should be included when prophylactic HPV vaccination is introduced in Indonesia.     

Absolute risk of a subsequent abnormal pap among oncogenic human papillomavirus DNA-positive,cytologically negative women

BACKGROUND: The addition of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing to cytologic screening for cervical carcinoma is now being considered. The majority of women in screening cohorts who test positive for oncogenic types of HPV DNA have concurrent negative Pap tests. The absolute risk of a subsequent abnormal Pap test for these women is uncertain. Therefore, the proper counseling and clinical management of these women is also uncertain. METHODS: A subcohort of 2020 women with a negative Pap test who tested positive at enrollment for oncogenic HPV DNA types using the Hybrid Capture 2 Test were followed for 57 months at Kaiser Permanente (Portland, OR). Absolute risks of new abnormal cytologic interpretations were computed using Kaplan-Meier methods. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate determinants of a new abnormal Pap test. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence for a Pap test interpreted as atypical squamous cells or more severe (>or= ASC) was 16.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 15.0-18.6%), 6.4% (95% CI = 5.2-7.6%) for low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or more severe, and 2.2% (95% CI = 1.5-2.9%) for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or more severe. By comparison, the cumulative incidence of greater than or equal to ASC among HPV-negative women was 4.2% (95% CI = 3.9-4.6%). The highest viral load (100 relative light units per the positive control or greater) was associated with a greater risk of an abnormal Pap test (odds ratio= 2.7, 95% CI = 1.7-4.1) than lower viral loads. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that about 15% of women in annual screening programs who concurrently have a negative Pap test and a positive oncogenic HPV test will have a subsequent abnormal Pap test within 5 years. This risk estimate will be useful to the many clinicians and patients likely to be diagnosed with an HPV infection and negative cytology if HPV DNA is added to general screening.     

江西省靖安县农村妇女高危型人乳头状瘤病毒感染的横断面研究

  目的  调查江西省靖安县农村女性子宫颈上皮内高危型人乳头状瘤病毒（high-risk human papillomavirus,hr-HPV）的感染状况。   方法  2012年5月至2012年11月在江西省靖安县地区对35~59岁女性进行人群横断面调查,纳入研究的4 673例受检者中2 491例采用了杂交捕获法（HC-2）方法检测hr-HPV,另外2 182例采用凯普医用核酸分子快速导流杂交基因芯片技术进行hr-HPV检测并分型。   结果   hr-HPV感染率为11.9%,混合感染占41.5%。在进行了分型的2 182例中HPV52型感染率最高（2.8%）,其次分别是58、16和39型。hr-HPV感染率在靖安县山区和平原地区之间无差异,年龄分布则有显著性差异（P < 0.001）。   结论  江西省靖安县农村女性hr-HPV感染率与我国其他地区近似,HPV52和58型是该地区优势感染型,hr-HPV感染防治策略应针对不同地域人群的特点有所不同。      

Prevalence of human papillomavirus in university young women

Cervical cancer is the second most prevalent female cancer worldwide. The majority of cases appear between the age of 30 and 50. Human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a central role in cervical cancer with 99.7% of HPV DNA identified in invasive cervical carcinomas. The prevalence of the HPV infection varies substantially among countries and according to age and lifestyle. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection among males and females with a 70% higher incidence in sexually active females. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of human papillomavirus in young university women by analyzing the correlation between Papanicolaou (PAP)-stained cervical tests and HPV detection by genotyping, as well as other risk factors. A total of 200 women aged between 18 and 25 years were enrolled in this study, which took place between September 2008 and May 2009 at the Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile. Results of the PAP smears showed that 97.5% of cells had normal characteristics, although an inflammatory pattern was noted. The prevalence of generic HPV infection was 3.5% when testing for HPV DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. An analysis of the genotype of infected female individuals indicated that high-risk HPV types, such as HPV 16 and 31 were present in 42.84 and 14.29% of females, respectively, and low-risk types such as HPV 6, in 14.29%. Only one sample with differentiated non-HPV (14.29%) was found. A 95% correlation between PAP-stained cervical tests and the method of testing for HPV was observed. Using the PCR method, it was found that of the 195 negative PAP smears, 5 were positive for HPV and two of the samples that were positive for ASC-US were also positive. A significantly increased (P<0.05) HPV infection risk was observed in the 18-21 age group with a higher prevalence (71.40%) when compared to the 22-25 age group (28.6%). A significant (P<0.042) difference was found between smoking and HPV infection. In conclusion, a significant (P<0.05) correlation was found between PAP and PCR methods for HPV testing in young university women. A significant correlation between smoking and HPV was detected, whereas no difference was noted with other parameters.     

Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection in women in Turin, Italy

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is recognised as necessary for the development of cervical cancer. An age-stratified random sample of 1013 women, aged 25-70 years, participating in the organised cervical screening programme in Turin, Italy was tested for 36 HPV types using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the general primers GP5+/GP6+. The overall HPV prevalence was 8.8%. High-risk types were found in 7.1% of women and multiple infections in 1.1%. HPV-16 was the most common type (32.6% of HPV-positive women). HPV prevalence (any type) was 13-14% at ages 25-39 years, 11.5% at age 40-44 years, and approximately 5% among older women. After age-adjustment, HPV prevalence was significantly increased in single vs married, (Odds Ratio (OR)=2.23; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.28-3.89) and decreased in parous vs nulliparous women (OR=0.49; 95% CI: 0.31-0.78). However, the association with marital status and parity was restricted to women less than 45 years of age. In conclusion, overall, the female population of Turin showed an HPV prevalence that is intermediate compared with worldwide levels.     

Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection in women in Busan,South Korea

To investigate the prevalence of and the risk factors for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in South Korea, we interviewed and examined a randomly selected sample of 863 sexually active women (age range = 20-74 years, median 44) and 103 self-reported virgins from Busan. The presence of DNA of 34 different HPV types in cervical exfoliated cells was tested among sexually active women by means of a PCR-based assay. IgG antibodies against L1 virus-like particles (anti-VLPs) of HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33 and 58 were also evaluated by means of ELISA. The overall prevalence of HPV DNA was 10.4% (95% confidence interval, CI: 8.5-12.7%). The most often found HPV DNA types were HPV 70, HPV 16 and HPV 33; 19.8% (95% CI: 17.2-22.0) of sexually active women had antibodies against one or more HPV types. The most common anti-VLPs were against HPV 18, 31 and 16. Prevalences standardized by age on the basis of the world standard population were 13.0% for HPV DNA and 17.1% for anti-VLPs. The concordance between the 2 HPV markers at an individual level was modest, but the risk factors for detection of HPV DNA and anti-VLPs were similar: number of lifetime sexual partners (odds ratio, OR for >/= 4 vs. 1 = 3.5 and 5.4, respectively), seropositivity for herpes simplex virus-2 antibodies (OR = 2.6 and 2.5, respectively) and being single or divorced. HPV DNA, but not anti-VLPs, were elevated among women whose husbands were thought by their wives to have extra-marital affairs and those who had undergone vasectomy. Among 103 virgins, 4.9% had anti-VLPs (1/73 among those aged 24 years or less).     

Prevalence and persistence of human papillomavirus in postmenopausal age women

Little is known about the prevalence and persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in older women, or about the association between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use and HPV detection. Like oral contraceptives, HRT hormones may upregulate viral expression and subsequent risk of genital cancer. Postmenopausal women seeking routine gynecologic care were evaluated for HPV infection, testing cervical/vaginal cytology by PCR/DNA sequencing. The prevalence of HPV was 14%; 6% had oncogenic types and 5.8% had persistent infection. Although risk of HPV detection was non-significantly elevated after adjustment for age and HPV-related risk factors among current (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=2.3) and past (adjusted OR=3.2) hormone users compared to never users, past users had a significantly higher risk using combination HRT regimens with increasing duration (adjusted OR=1.8 per year; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.1-3.1). These findings suggest that a significant percentage of older women are infected with HPV. This may put them at increased risk of genital cancers with longer use of HRTs. Additional studies are needed.     

Human papillomavirus prevalence in women attending routine cervical screening in South Wales, UK: a cross-sectional study

In this cross-sectional population-based study we determine human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence in South Wales to provide comprehensive baseline data for future assessment of the impact of prophylactic HPV vaccination and to help inform future screening strategies. Liquid-based cytology samples from women attending routine cervical screening were collected (n=10 000: mean age 38 years, 93% cytology negative, and 64.8% from the 50% least deprived LSOA according to social deprivation score (SDS)). High-Risk (HR) and Low-Risk HPV screening was performed using HPV PCR-EIA with genotyping of HR positives and data correlated with age, SDS and cytology. Overall HPV prevalence was 13.5% (9.3% age standardised) and the most frequent HR types were HPV 16, 31, 18 and 58. In HR HPV-positive cases 42.4% had a single HR type and they were predominant in women with severe cytological abnormalities. Here, 66% of all HR HPV cases were in women aged 30 years of age or less and SDS had no significant effect on HPV status. HPV prevalence increased significantly with degree of dyskarosis from 7% in cytology negative samples to 80% in samples with severe cytological abnormalities (P-value <0.0001). Overall, 46% of HR HPV cases were positive for the two HR types targeted by the prophylactic vaccines (HPV 16 and HPV 18). The data presented represents the largest type-specific investigation of HPV prevalence in an unselected UK population.     

Prevalence of human papillomavirus in cervical cancer: a multicenter study in China

A large-scale epidemiologic survey on the prevalence of different types of human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical cancer in China is indicated because of the implications for the development of diagnostic probes and vaccines against cervical cancer. A total of 809 cervical cancer specimens were collected from 5 regions in China including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Sichuan, Beijing and Hong Kong. HPV DNA was detected in 83.7% of the specimens. HPV-16 was present in 79.6%, HPV-18 in 7.5%, HPV-52 in 2.6% and HPV-58 in 3.8% of all HPV-positive specimens. The prevalences of HPV-16 and HPV-18 in Hong Kong were 61.7 and 14.8%, respectively, representing a lower HPV-16 and a higher HPV-18 proportion compared with the other regions. HPV-16 remained the most common HPV infection in both squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC). The proportion of HPV-18 infection was significantly higher in AC than in SCC.     

Triage options to manage high-risk human papillomavirus-positive women: A population-based cross-sectional study from rural China

Improvement in managing HPV-positive women is urgently needed. Based on a population-based study which included 2112 women aged 49 to 69 from Shanxi, China, we aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of multiple triage strategies based on liquid-based cytology (LBC), p16^INK4a, viral load and partial genotyping, as a single or combined strategy for detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3 or higher (CIN2+/CIN3+) in women who tested positive by Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2). Among 452 HC2-positive women, the test positivity of LBC (ASC-US+), p16^INK4a, HPV16/18 and HPV16/18/31/33/45 were 39.6%, 38.5%, 18.0% and 40.0%, respectively. Compared to LBC (ASC-US+) triage, a single triage strategies using p16^INK4a or extended genotyping (SureX HPV16/18/31/33/45) achieved comparable sensitivity (relative sensitivity: 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93-1.26 and 0.96, 95% CI: 0.76-1.22) and specificity (relative specificity: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.96-1.14 and 1.02, 95% CI: 0.92-1.14) for CIN3+. Viral load triage using a ≥50 RLU/CO cut-point also yielded similar results with LBC (ASC-US+). Among combined triage strategies, HPV16/18 genotyping with reflex p16^INK4a showed higher sensitivity and slightly lower specificity than LBC (ASC-US+) for CIN3+ detection, however, the differences were not statistically significant. Of note, after a negative result by p16^INK4a or LBC among HPV16/18 negative women, the posttest probability of CIN3+ was lower than 1%. Our study suggested that p16^INK4a, extended genotyping and increased viral load cut-point could be promising alternatives to cytology triage. Combined triage algorithms of HPV16/18 with reflex p16^INK4a or cytology, if negative, are associated with the substantial low posttest risk sufficient to release women to next screening round.     

Human papillomavirus infection in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: a population-based study.

Data on human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer burden in Central Asia are scarce. To investigate HPV infection in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, we obtained cervical cell specimens from a population of 969 women ages 15 to 59 years. DNA of 44 HPV types was detected using a GP5+/6+ PCR-based assay. Seropositivity for L1 proteins of HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 was assessed using multiplex HPV serology. Cytologic abnormalities were detected in 127 women (13.1%), among whom 6 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 and 2 invasive cervical cancers were diagnosed. Overall HPV DNA prevalence was 35.0%, being highest (48.5%) in women ages <25 years. High-risk types were detected in 24.5% of women. HPV DNA prevalence declined with age but remained >25% in all age groups. HPV seroprevalence was also very high (38.0%) and increased steadily from 33.2% to 48.9% in women ages <25 and 50 to 59 years, respectively. However, the proportion of women positive for both HPV markers of any individual HPV type was low. HPV16 was the most frequently detected type by PCR (6.1%), serology (23.0%), or both (2.1%). Lifetime number of sexual partners and induced abortions were shown to be directly associated with HPV DNA and/or seroprevalence. HPV prevalence in Ulaanbaatar was higher than that detected by similar HPV testing protocols in other populations in Asia or elsewhere and would suggest an important, yet unquantified, cervical cancer burden. Improving cervical cancer prevention, through screening and HPV vaccination, is an important public health issue for Mongolia.     

Prevalence of high--risk human papillomavirus infections in women with benign cervical cytology: a hospital based study from North India

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is the commonest cancer among Indian women. High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) detection holds the potential to be used as a tool to identify women, at risk for subsequent development of cervical cancer. There is a pressing need for identifying prevalence of asymptomatic cervical HPV infection in the local population. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of high-risk HPV DNA in women with benign cervical cytology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women visiting the gynecology outpatient with varied complaints were subjected to Pap smear. Four hundred and seventy two samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction, using consensus primers for low and high-risk HPV (types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31 and 33). The samples that were positive for HPV DNA were subsequently assessed for high-risk consensus primers, types 16, 18, 31 and 33 as well as for HPV type 16 and 18. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy four (36.8%) women tested positive for HPV DNA. Thirty nine (8.2%) of the entire cohort tested positive for high-risk HPV. Fifteen samples were positive for type 16, 22 for type 18 and two for both types 16 and 18. A statistically higher prevalence of high-risk HPV was observed in poorly educated and rural groups. No association of HPV prevalence was noted with age, parity and age at marriage. CONCLUSION: The study generates epidemiological data of prevalence of sub-clinical HPV in the women visiting a tertiary care institute as well as peripheral health centres. The data generated will be useful for laying guidelines for mass screening of HPV, treatment and prophylaxis in the local population.     

Human papillomavirus genotype in cervical cancer: a population-based study

Our aim was to investigate the human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype distribution and correlation between HPV parameters and clinicopathological variables in cervical carcinoma treated in a large tertiary referral medical center in Taiwan. Consecutive patients treated for cervical carcinoma (Stages I-IV according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) between 1993 and 2000 were included. HPV genotyping using SPF1/GP6+ PCR was performed, followed by hybridization with a genechip (Easychip HPV Blot, King Car, Taiwan). E6 type-specific PCR was performed to validate multiple-type. HPV-negative samples were further verified by type-specific PCR and a repeat HPV Blot. A total of 2,118 patients were eligible for analysis. HPV DNA sequences were detected in 96.6% (95% CI, 95.8-97.4%) of the specimens, among which 82% harbored single-type and 18% contained multiple-type HPV sequences. Thirty-five types of HPV were identified and the leading 8 were HPV16 (50.0%), HPV18 (17.8%), HPV58 (16.3%), HPV33 (8.7%), HPV52 (6.8%), HPV39 (3.0%), HPV45 (2.5%) and HPV31 (2.3%). HPV58 or 33 or 52 was detected in 30.3% (641/2,118). By multivariate analysis, HPV58- or 33- or 52-infection was significantly associated with older age (p < 0.001) and primary radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiation (RT/CCRT) (p < 0.001). Among HPV-positive cases, multiple-type was more frequently seen in those receiving primary RT/CCRT (p < 0.001). The knowledge of HPV genotype distribution will form a basis for guidelines in HPV-based cervical cancer screening and cost-effective multivalent HPV vaccine policy in Taiwan and in the world. The association between HPV parameters and clinicopathological variables warrants further investigations.     

Prevalence of breast cancer in thyroid diseases: results of a cross-sectional study of 3,921 patients

Results from national cancer registries reveal an association of thyroid cancers with extra-thyroidal malignancies. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of breast cancer (BC) in women affected by both benign and malignant thyroid diseases (TD) in comparison to the general population. To this end, 3,921 female patients from central and southern regions of Italy were evaluated. Age-matched analysis of the prevalence of BC was carried out after dividing the patients into three diagnostic categories: (1) 1,149 patients with non-nodular TD; (2) 2350 patients with nodular TD; (3) 422 patients affected by differentiated thyroid cancers. Furthermore, the patients were grouped according to the absence (2,344 patients) or presence (1,453 patients) of anti-thyroglobulin (TgAb) and/or anti-thyroperoxidase (TPOAb) or anti-TSH receptor auto-antibodies (124 patients). BC prevalence in TD patients as a whole was significantly higher compared to the general population, with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.33. Age-matched analysis showed that the risk of a BC in TD patients was higher in younger patients (age 0–44 years), with an OR of 15.24, which decreased with increasing age. Patients without thyroid auto-antibodies showed a higher OR for BC (p = 0.0005) than TD patients with TgAb and/or TPOAb. The results demonstrate that women affected by either benign or malignant thyroid disease have a significantly greater risk of BC, which is higher at a younger age. Furthermore, thyroid auto-antibodies appear to be protective against BC. These findings may contribute to the identification of common genetic and environmental factors underlying this disease association.     

Human papillomavirus, herpes simplex virus and cervical cancer incidence in Greenland and Denmark. A population-based cross-sectional study

In Greenland, the incidence of cervical cancer is 5.7 times higher than in Denmark among women aged 20-39. From Nuuk (Greenland) and Nykftbing Falster (Denmark) a sample of 800 women aged 20-39 years was drawn at random. A total of 586 and 661 women were investigated in Greenland and Denmark respectively. All women had a gynecological examination including a PAP-smear and cervical scrape for HPV-anafysis (filter in situ hybridization). A blood sample was taken for analysis of HSV type-specific antibodies (ELISA). The percentage of normal smears was identical in the 2 areas (95%). The total HPV 16/18 infection rate was 13% in Denmark and 8.8% in Greenland, and the age-adjusted prevalence rate in Greenland was only 67% of that in Denmark (95% Cl: 0.05-0.89). The proportion of HPV 6711 positivity was the same in Greenland and in Denmark (6.7% vs. 7.5%). A significantly higher proportion of the Greenlandic women had HSV-2 antibodies (68.2%) in comparison with Danish women (30.9%) (p < 0.01). The prevalence of HSV-I was also higher in Greenland, especially in women aged 20 to 24. Our finding of a higher HPV infection rate in Denmark than in Greenland, opposed to cervical cancer rates, does not support a role for these viruses as determinants of cervical cancer incidence. In contrast, the rate of HSV-2 infection co-varies with the observed incidence of cervical cancer. This is in line with the notion that differences in cervical cancer incidence between Denmark and Greenland are determined by aspects of sexual behavior.     

Intersectional nativity and racial/ethnic disparities in human papillomavirus vaccination initiation among U.S. women: a national population-based study

Background

Overall, foreign-born women are less likely than U.S.-born women to have initiated human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. However, foreign-born women are a racially/ethnically diverse population, and race/ethnicity is an independent predictor of HPV vaccination.

Methods

Using 2011–2015 National Health Interview Survey data, we used multivariable logistic regression to estimate odds ratios for foreign-born black, Latina, and Asian women compared to foreign-born white women and U.S.-born white women, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. We added socioeconomic factors followed by health care access indicators, which we conceptualized as potential mediators, to each model to assess whether they helped explain observed disparities.

Results

Foreign-born Asian ([odds ratio=] 0.43; [95% confidence interval:] 0.29–0.65) and Latina (0.46; 0.32–0.68) women had significantly lower adjusted odds of initiating HPV vaccination compared to foreign-born white women. Foreign-born white (0.64; 0.45–0.90), black (0.44; 0.29, 0.67), Latina (0.29; 0.24–0.35), and Asian (0.28; 0.21–0.38) women had significantly lower adjusted odds of HPV vaccination initiation compared to U.S.-born white women. Socioeconomic factors only explained HPV vaccination initiation disparities between foreign-born Latina women and foreign-born and U.S.-born white women. Health care access indicators modestly explained disparities between foreign-born white, black, and Latina women and U.S.-born white women only.

Conclusions

We observed pronounced HPV vaccination initiation disparities among foreign-born women in relation to race/ethnicity and between foreign-born women from minoritized racial/ethnic backgrounds and U.S.-born white women. Research on nativity disparities in HPV vaccination should take into account race/ethnicity, and vice versa. Interventions that seek to facilitate HPV vaccination among foreign-born women are needed and should address the unique needs of those from minoritized racial/ethnic backgrounds to promote cancer equity.

     

Prevalence of human papillomavirus in saliva of women with HPV genital lesions

Background

The human papilloma viruses (HPVs) are DNA viruses associated with benign and malignant lesions of skin and mucous membranes. The HPVs has been implicated as the cause of virtually all cervical cancers worldwide but studies showed that these viruses can cause numerous cancers in several tissues including Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). At least 90 % of HPV-positive OSCCs are associated with high-risk (or oncogenic) HPV-16 and oral infection confers an approximate 50-fold increase in risk for HPV-positive OSCC. HPV-positive OSCCs are associated with sexual behaviors in contrast to HPV-negative OSCCs that are associated with chronic tobacco and alcohol use. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HPV-DNA in saliva samples collected from women in which it has been previously established the HPV infection of the cervix with relative genotyping and, then, to study the possible correlation.

Methods

Saliva samples were collected from 100 women with HPV cervical lesions, aged between 22 and 52 years old, and 25 healthy women with normal cytology (control group), aged between 20 and 49 years old. PCR assay was used to detect HPV DNA.

Results

The prevalence of oral HPV infection in saliva samples was 24 % in women with HPV cervical lesions while in the control group was 8 %. It has been demonstrated a strong association between high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and oral infection due to HPV16 and 18, that are the most frequently detected HPV genotypes.

Conclusion

This study shows that patients with genital HPV infection are at risk for oral infection and, consequently, for the development of OSCC.