Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection in Argentinean women attending two different hospitals prior to the implementation of the National Vaccination Program

High prevalence and co-infection of high-risk Human Papillomavirus genotypes among unvaccinated young women from Paraguay

Paraguay launched a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in 2013, so virological surveillance is important for measuring the impact of HPV vaccines. This study aimed to estimate the type-specific HPV frequency in unvaccinated sexually active women aged 18-25 years in the metropolitan area of Asuncion as a baseline for monitoring the HPV vaccination program. This study included 208 women, attending the Central Laboratory of Public Health between May 2020 and December 2021, were invited for testing through social networks and flyers at local health centers and higher education institutes. All participants who agreed to contribute to the study signed a free, prior, and informed consent form and answered a questionnaire that included basic demographic data and determining factors of HPV infection. Human papillomavirus detection and genotyping were conducted using the CLART HPV2 test (Genomica, Madrid, Spain) that allows the individual identification of 35 genotypes. 54.8% women were positive for any HPV type, with 42.3% positive for high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) types. Several factors were associated with HPV detection including the number of sexual partners, new sexual partners, non-use of condoms, and history of other sexual infections. Moreover, multiple infections were identified in 43.0% of the young women. We detected 29 different viral types present in both single and multiple infections. HPV-58 was the most commonly detected HPV type (14.9%), followed by HPV-16, HPV-51, and HPV-66 (12.3%). We estimated the prevalence of bivalent (16/18), quadrivalent (6/11/16/18), and nonavalent (6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58) vaccine types to be 8.2%, 13%, and 38%, respectively. These results reinforce the importance of surveillance studies and provide the first data regarding circulating HPV genotypes in the unvaccinated population in Paraguay, thus generating a baseline to compare future changes in the overall and type-specific HPV prevalence after HPV vaccination.

High prevalence of human papillomavirus type 66 in low-grade cervical lesions of Mexican women

Our aim was to analyze the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) and its association with risk factors related to cervical lesions. We used 362 cervical samples from a transversal study to detect nineteen types from the high-risk HPV clade by highly sensitive PCR. Unexpectedly, we found a very high prevalence of HPV type 66 (32.8%), particularly in low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. A significant association of HPV66 with previously sexually transmitted disease was observed (p < 0.05). Our results strongly suggest that HPV66 might be indicative of cervical lesions that will not progress to cancer. HPV genotyping by methods that grouped type 66 with other HR-HPV clade types should be interpreted with caution.

Baseline prevalence and type distribution of Human papillomavirus in sexually active non-vaccinated adolescent girls from Argentina

In 2011, Argentina launched a government-funded national Human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization program incorporating a bivalent HPV vaccine, with a 0-1-6-month schedule, for girls 11 years of age, born after January 2000. Monitoring the changes of HPV infection prevalence among young women has been proposed as an endpoint for early assessment of HPV vaccination programs. However, the data on HPV prevalence at young ages are very limited. The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence of HPV infection and type-specific distribution in sexually active 15-17-year-old non-vaccinated girls. Cervical samples from 1073 adolescents were collected for HPV detection and genotyping using the BSGP5+/GP6+PCR-reverse line blot (RLB) assay. Out of 957 specimens analyzed, 56.3% were positive for any HPV type; 42.2% harbored at least one high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) type and 30.8% low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) types. Multiple and single infections were identified in 36.3% and 20.0% of the samples respectively. The 6 most common HR-HPV types were HPV16 (11.1%), HPV52 (10.8%), HPV56 (8.3%), HPV51 (7.4%), HPV58 (7.3%) and HPV31 (7.1%). The prevalence of HR-HPV-16/18 was 15.2%. In conclusion, results confirm that HPV (particularly HR-types) are very common among sexually active adolescents, and prevalence rises quickly after their sexual debut. Our HPV type-specific prevalence baseline may be used to monitor post-vaccinal longitudinal changes in Argentina.

Assessing Gammapapillomavirus infections of mucosal epithelia with two broad-spectrum PCR protocols

Background

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been divided into mucosal and cutaneous types according to their primary epithelial tissue tropism. However, recent studies showed the presence of several cutaneous types in mucosal lesions and healthy mucosa from different anatomical sites.

Methods

Here, the HPV prevalence and type-specific distribution were assessed in a variety of mucosal samples from 435 individuals using a combination of two established broad-spectrum primer systems: Gamma-PV PCR and CUT PCR.

Results

Overall HPV prevalence in anal canal swabs, cervical cancer biopsies, genital warts and oral swabs was 85, 47, 62 and 4%, respectively. In anal canal swabs, Alpha-PVs were most frequently found (59%), followed by Gamma- (37%) and Beta-PVs (4%). The prevalence and persistence of HPV infection in the anal canal of 226 individuals were further explored. Overall HPV, Gamma-PVs and multiple HPV infections were significantly higher in men vs. women (p = 0.034, p = 0.027 and p = 0.003, respectively); multiple HPV infections were more common in individuals ≤40 years (p = 0.05), and significantly higher prevalence of Gamma-PVs and multiple HPV infections was observed in HIV-1-positive vs. HIV-1-negative individuals (p = 0.003 and p = 0.04, respectively). Out of 21 patients with follow-up anal swabs, only one persistent infection with the same type (HPV58) was detected.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that Gamma-PVs (except species Gamma-6) are ubiquitous viruses with dual muco-cutaneous tissue tropism. Anal canal Gamma-PV infections may be associated with sexual behavior and the host immune status. This study expands the knowledge on Gamma-PVs’ tissue tropism, providing valuable data on the characteristics of HPV infection in the anal canal.

Genetic variability of human papillomavirus type 66 L1 gene among women presenting for cervical cancer screening in Chile

The high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs) are involved in the development of cervical cancer. Nevertheless, there are differences in the oncogenic potential among them. HPV-16 and HPV-18 are associated with approximately 70% of cancer worldwide, and both types are the most extensively studied HR-HPV. Great variations in the prevalence of HR-HPV have been described in different countries. The impact of these variations on the epidemiology of lesions and cervical cancer is currently unknown. A high prevalence of HPV-66 has been detected in Chile. Here, we have analyzed the genetic variability of the L1 gene from HPV-66-infected Chilean women. Higher order interactions between identified mutations were analyzed by co-variation and cluster analyses. Antigenic-index alterations following L1 mutations and B-cell epitopes were predicted by BcePred algorithm. HPV-66 L1 sequences clustered phylogenetically into two main clades. The genetic variability in the HPV-66 L1 gene involved thirty nucleotide changes. Four of these were for the first time identified in this study. Some of these variants are embedded in the B-cell epitope regions. Amino acid homology in the immunodominant epitopes of HPV-66 L1 protein (DE, FG and H1 loops) was 42.9-59.1% and 28.6-68.9% compared with HPV-16 and HPV-18, respectively. The results of this research suggest that the neutralizing epitopes of HPV-66 are antigenically different compared to HPV-16 and HPV-18. Our findings show the need to perform new structural and immunological studies on HPV-66 L1 protein to evaluate the cross-protection conferred by current HPV vaccines.

Continuing global improvement in human papillomavirus DNA genotyping services: The 2013 and 2014 HPV LabNet international proficiency studies

BACKGROUND

Accurate and internationally comparable human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection and typing services are essential for HPV vaccine research and surveillance.

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the proficiency of different HPV typing services offered routinely in laboratories worldwide.

STUDY DESIGN

The HPV Laboratory Network (LabNet) has designed international proficiency panels that can be regularly issued. The HPV genotyping proficiency panels of 2013 and 2014 contained 43 and 41 coded samples, respectively, composed of purified plasmids of sixteen HPV types (HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68a and 68b) and 3 extraction controls. Proficient typing was defined as detection in both single and multiple infections of 50 International Units of HPV 16 and HPV 18 and 500 genome equivalents for the other 14 HPV types, with at least 97% specificity.

RESULTS

Ninety-six laboratories submitted 136 datasets in 2013 and 121 laboratories submitted 148 datasets in 2014. Thirty-four different HPV genotyping assays were used, notably Linear Array, HPV Direct Flow-chip, GenoFlow HPV array, Anyplex HPV 28, Inno-LiPa, and PGMY-CHUV assays. A trend towards increased sensitivity and specificity was observed. In 2013, 59 data sets (44%) were 100% proficient compared to 86 data sets (59%) in 2014. This is a definite improvement compared to the first proficiency panel, issued in 2008, when only 19 data sets (26%) were fully proficient.

CONCLUSION

The regularly issued global proficiency program has documented an ongoing worldwide improvement in comparability and reliability of HPV genotyping services.

Natural history of human papillomavirus infection of sun-exposed healthy skin of immunocompetent individuals over three climatic seasons and identification of HPV209, a novel betapapillomavirus

We present the first longitudinal study reporting the natural history of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in sun-exposed skin of healthy individuals living in a geographical area in which solar UV radiation is influenced by the ozone content of the atmosphere. During three climatic seasons, skin swab samples were obtained from 78 healthy individuals and the prevalence of cutaneous HPVs was assessed with broad-spectrum FAP and CUT primers and determined at 54, 45 and 47 % in spring, summer and winter, respectively. Frequencies of mixed HPV infections were significantly higher in spring with respect to summer and winter (P=0.02). Seventy-one different HPV types/putative types were identified. While 62 volunteers were HPV-infected in at least one season, 23 had persistent infections. β-PVs (β-1) were the most prevalent and persistent. Age was associated with both the infection status (P=0.01) and the type of HPV infection (no infection, indeterminate/transient, persistent P=0.02). The molecular/phylogenetic analysis of the newly identified β-PV, officially designated as HPV209, showed that the virus has a typical genomic organization of cutaneous HPVs with five early (E6, E7, E1, E2 and E4) and two late genes (L2 and L1), which clusters to the species β-2. This provides useful data on cutaneous HPV infections in high UV-exposed regions.

Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus infection among Chilean women from 2012 to 2016

Here, we evaluated the prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in two groups of Chilean women. The first group consisted of 3235 women aged 18-64 years attended in six primary care centers of Santiago. The second group consisted of 456 women 18-85 aged who consulted the Gynaecology Department of the Reference Hospital of Santiago. Samples were collected from October 2012 to February 2016. Cervical swabs were analyzed both HPV genotyping by PCR and Reverse Line Blot, and cervical cytology by Pap testing. Results showed a prevalence of 12.0% HPV positive, 10.3% high-risk (HR) HPV types positive, 3.9% low-risk (LR) HPV types positive, and 1.0% Pap positive in group 1. The most frequent types were 16, 66, and 59, with a prevalence of 3.0%, 1.6%, and 1.5%, respectively. The prevalence were 71.9% HPV positive, 67.3% HR-HPV types positive, 13.6% LR-HPV types positive, and 62.5% Pap positive in group 2. The most frequent types were 16, 31, and 58, with prevalence of 33.6%, 10.5%, and 7.0%, respectively. Among infected women with HPV: 7.6% were infected with HPV16 or HPV18, 3.0% with HPV31, HPV33 or HPV45, and 6.7% with any other HR-HPV. These findings show great difference in HPV prevalence and types between primary care and reference center, and provide useful epidemiological information to assess the impact of HPV vaccination in the future.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection among women presenting for cervical cancer screening in Chile, 2014-2015

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women worldwide. In Chile, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death among women of reproductive age, causing more than 600 deaths annually. This study was carried out to determine the burden and confirm the predominant human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes among women presenting for cervical cancer screening in public health services in Chile. Women aged 18-64 years residing in the north and central areas covered by six primary care centers of Santiago, Chile, were invited to participate from March 2014 to August 2015. Cervical swabs were examined both HPV genotyping by PCR and Reverse Line Blot, and cervical cytology by Pap testing. A total of 1738 women were included in this study: 11.1 % were HPV positive, 9.7 % were high-risk types positive, 3.2 % were low-risk types positive, 1.4 % were Pap positive and 0.9 % were positive by both tests. The four most predominant genotypes were 16, 66, 51 and 59, with prevalence of 2.8, 1.4, 1.2 and 1.2 %, respectively. Multiple HPV infections were detected among 3.8 % participants. Age-specific prevalence of HPV showed a peak in HPV infection at younger ages (≤30 years), declining to a plateau in middle age. Among women with normal cytology, the 9.4 % were HPV positive, while 58.3 % of women with abnormal cytology were HPV positive. These findings show new epidemiological data confirming HPV 16 and 66 as the most predominant genotypes in Chile. These data are important for design successful strategies for prevention of cervical cancer in Chile.

Mothers' acceptance of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for daughters in a country with a high prevalence of HPV

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Argentina and the mortality rate is not declining despite opportunistic screening. Free-of-charge human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of 11-year-old girls was introduced in 2011. Parental acceptance of HPV vaccination is considered to be of great importance for HPV vaccine uptake. However, little is known regarding this factor in Argentina. The aim of the present study was to explore maternal HPV vaccination acceptance, willingness to pay for HPV vaccination and correlates of this willingness, awareness of HPV and HPV-associated disease and behaviors and attitudes associated with HPV vaccination acceptance. A total of 180 mothers of girls aged 9-15 years comprised this quantitative, cross-sectional, survey-based study, conducted at two hospitals in the Mendoza Province. Correlates of willingness to pay for HPV vaccination were obtained using multivariable logistic regression models. Maternal HPV vaccination acceptance was 90%, and 60% of mothers were willing to pay for HPV vaccination. Mothers who were gainfully employed and had a higher disposable household income were significantly more willing to pay for HPV vaccination [odds ratio (OR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-6.38; OR=3.28, 95% CI 1.36-7.94, respectively], as were mothers who were aware of cervical cancer prior to the study (OR=3.22, 95% CI 1.02-10.14). Only one in 10 mothers were informed that HPV vaccination does not offer complete protection against cervical cancer. In conclusion, the present study showed high maternal HPV vaccination acceptance, although acceptance decreased when vaccination was not free-of-charge. Continuous public education campaigns are needed to improve knowledge of HPV, HPV vaccines and HPV-associated disease.

Molecular epidemiology of human papillomavirus infections in cervical samples from cuban women older than 30 years

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to provide information about the molecular epidemiology of human papillomavirus (HPV) in a group of Cuban women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DNA from cervical samples was analyzed using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which detects 6 of the clinically most relevant high-risk HPV types. Furthermore, end point PCR and sequencing were performed. Three hundred twenty-two women (211 with positive and 111 with negative cytologic results) aged between 30 and 69 years were enrolled. Risk factors associated with HPV infections and premalignant lesions were also investigated.

RESULTS

HPV DNA was detected in 76.1% (245/322) of the studied population, and 34 different genotypes were found. There was an association between HPV infection and low educational level, history of oral contraceptives, menopausal stage, as well as cigarette and/or alcohol consumption. Besides, in a multivariate analysis, previous positive Pap test result and positive colposcopy finding were both predictor variables for HPV infections and for premalignant lesions. Human papillomavirus infection was found in 94.3% of women (199/211) with positive cytologic result and in 41.4% (46/111) of those with negative results, being more likely that the first group was infected with any HPV (odds ratio = 23.43; 95% CI = 11.70-46.92; p = .000). The most common genotypes were HPV types 16, 18, 31, 58, 33, and 45. All the cases with HPV positive findings had at least 1 high-risk HPV genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report of the molecular epidemiology of HPV in Cuban women, based on results from a DNA sequence and quantitative PCR. Most individuals were infected with high-risk HPV types. These findings support the inclusion of HPV vaccine in Cuba.