Diagnostic value of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and HPV18 viral loads for the detection of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+) in a cohort of African women living with HIV

Nonlinear relationship between viral load and TCT in single/multiple HPV52 infection

PURPOSE

To determine the correlation between HPV (human papillomavirus) 52 viral load, multiple infections and ThinPrep cytology test (TCT), to inform clinical management of HPV52-positive women after cervical cancer screening.

METHODS

A total of 1,882 female patients who had positive quantitative HPV tests at Yuebei People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022, of whom 533 tested positive for HPV52. We excluded patients who combined HPV16 and/or HPV 18 positivity and whom HPV52 viral load could not be calculated. The final enrollment was 488 patients, including 400 NILM, 48 ASC-US, 28 LSIL and 12 HSIL. The HPV test is a quantitative multiplexed fluorescent PCR assay that provides both HPV genotyping and viral load.

RESULTS

In our study, there were differences in the median distribution of viral loads among various cytological class categories. The risk of TCT results (LSIL or worse) was increased with the increase of HPV52 viral load, for every LOG unit increase in HPV52 viral load, the risk increased by 26.6%. More importantly, we found a nonlinear relationship between HPV52 viral load and TCT results (LSIL or worse) in both single and multiple infections. When the viral load reaches a threshold, the risk of abnormal cytological results increases significantly.

CONCLUSION

HPV52 viral load is an independent risk factor for TCT results (LSIL or worse). The relationship between HPV52 viral load and TCT results (LSIL or worse) is not linear. Viral load may be used as a triage indicator for HPV52-positive patients, thus improving the post-screening clinical management of HPV52-positive women.

Evaluation of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Genotyping and Viral Load Determination as Diagnostic Biomarkers of Cervical Cancer Risk

HPV testing in cervical cancer screening programs offers the possibility of introducing molecular standardized biomarkers for the triage of HPV-positive women. This study aimed to evaluate the role of HPV genotyping and viral load as possible diagnostic biomarkers of high-grade cervical lesions (CIN2+) by performing a preliminary evaluation of a new HPV test. Cervical specimens were obtained from 200 women referred for a colposcopy. Samples were tested using both Anyplex™ II HR-HPV as well as OncoPredict HPV^® Screening (SCR) and quantitative typing (QT). Using a cycle threshold cutoff (Ct) of 36.8 for the SCR assay and 1.27 log₁₀ (viral copies/10⁴ cells) for the QT assay, relative clinical sensitivity for CIN2+ and relative clinical specificity for CIN2- as compared to Anyplex™ II HR-HPV were, respectively, 0.92 and 1.00 for SCR and 1.35 and 1.24 for QT. The distribution of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) genotypes (p = 0.009) as well as the viral copy numbers (CIN2-: 3.7 log₁₀ (viral copies/10⁴ human cells); CIN2+: 4.3 log₁₀ (viral copies/10⁴ human cells); p = 0.047) were found to differ in women with high- and low-grade cervical lesions, suggesting a possible role of HPV genotyping and normalized viral load as potential biomarkers to identify women at increased risk of cervical lesions.

Verification of the association of the cycle threshold (Ct) values from HPV testing on Cobas4800 with the histologic grades of cervical lesions using data from two population-based cervical cancer screening trials

Objective

To verify the association of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) viral load reflected by cycle threshold (Ct) values from HPV testing on Cobas4800 assay with the histologic grades of cervical lesions via analysis on the combined data from two cervical cancer screening trials and to explore the referability of Ct values in management of the abnormalities from cervical cancer primary screening.

Methods

We analyzed the data from Chinese Multi-Center Screening Trial (CHMUST) and BUJI Cervical Cancer Screening Study Project (BUJI Study). All data to be analyzed in this paper were related to provider-collected samples. One-way ANOVA was performed to compare the Ct values among different histological groups, and Kendall’s tau-b correlation was applied to examine the association between Ct values and cervical lesion grades. The stepwise incidence of CIN2+ and CIN3+ in every 100 HPV positive individuals were calculated according to the descending of the genotype specific Ct values. The highest Ct values related to CIN3+ incidence rate 4% (or 25%) were used as the cutoffs to distinguish low-Ct value cases from the high-Ct value ones.

Results

A total of 1376 women in CHUMUST and BUJI Study who were aged 30–59 and positive of hrHPV for provider-collected samples on Cobas4800 with complete data in terms of the relevant Ct values (CtV) and the histological diagnosis were included for analysis. Our data showed significant difference among different histological grades of cervical lesions in the CtV of hrHPV, HPV16-plus (positive of HPV16 only or HPV16 plus 18 and/or pooled 12-HPV), and pooled 12-HPV (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found among different grades of lesions in term of correlated CtV of HPV18-plus (positive of HPV18 only or HPV18 plus pooled 12-HPV) (P > 0.05). The CIN2+ or CIN3+ incidence per 100 positives significantly increased corresponding to the descending of the CtV of hrHPV, HPV16-plus and pooled 12-HPV. Compared with high-CtV groups (CtV > 33.2 for hrHPV, CtV > 29.6 for pooled 12-HPV), the relevant risks (RRs) of CIN2+ for hrHPV and pooled 12-HPV positive groups with low-CtV (CtV ≤ 33.2 and ≤ 29.6, respectively) were 3.2 (95%CI 2.18–4.80) and 2.3 (95%CI 1.50–3.45). Similarly, the RRs of CIN3+ for hrHPV and pooled 12-HPV positive groups with low-CtV were 6.5 (95%CI 2.83–14.80) and 2.7 (95%CI 1.15–6.39), respectively. The RRs of CIN2+ for medium- (30.3 < CtV ≤ 37.4) and low- (≤ 30.3) CtV HPV16-plus positives were 5.1 (95%CI 0.68–38.38) and 20.6 (95%CI 2.96–143.92) related to high-CtV (> 37.4) groups, and the CIN3+ incidence in low-CtV value group was nine-fold higher of that in medium-CtV ones [RRs, 9.0 (95%CI 2.89–28.10)]. In comparing with the algorithms of “HPV16-plus/18-plus + cytology ≥ ASCUS for pooled 12-HPV”, triage algorithm “HPV16-plus/18-plus + Ct value ≤ 33.2 for pooled 12-HPV” could achieve a comparable sensitivity of 93.2%.

Conclusion

HPV viral loads reflected by Ct values for hrHPV, HPV16-plus and pooled 12-HPV from Cobas4800 HPV testing were directly associated with the severity of cervical lesions. A lower HPV genotype-specific Ct value prompted a significantly high CIN3+ risk of 4% or higher in women positive of hrHPV, HPV16-plus or pooled 12-HPV, indicating that HPV viral load reflected by Ct values on Cobas4800 may be a promising risk indicator in management of abnormalities from primary cervical cancer screening.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13027-022-00440-4.

Significance of the viral load of high-risk HPV in the diagnosis and prediction of cervical lesions: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The significance of HPV viral load in the detection of cervical lesions is still controversial. This study analyzed the correlation between the high-risk HPV viral load and different cervical lesion degrees.

METHODS

This retrospective study included women positive for high-risk HPV DNA and screened for cervical lesions between 01/2015 and 06/2018. The high-risk HPV DNA load was measured by the second-generation Hybrid Capture technology and classified as low, moderate, and high. Colposcopy and biopsy were performed in all patients. The patients were grouped as normal, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 1, CIN grade 2, CIN grade 3, and cervical cancer. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to explore the association between high-risk HPV DNA load and cervical lesions. The odds ratios (ORs) represent the odds for increasing from low to high viral load.

RESULTS

Finally, 265 patients were grouped as normal (n = 125), CIN 1 (n = 51), CIN 2 (n = 23), CIN 3 (n = 46), and cervical cancer (n = 20). Among them, 139 (52.5%) had a low viral load, 90 (34.0) had a moderate viral load, and 36 (13.4%) had a high viral load. Taking the normal control group as a reference, a high viral load was an independent factor for CIN 1 (OR = 3.568, 95% CI: 1.164-10.941, P = 0.026), CIN 2 (OR = 6.939, 95% CI: 1.793-26.852, P = 0.005), CIN 3 (OR = 7.052, 95% CI: 2.304-21.586, P = 0.001), and cervical cancer (OR = 8.266, 95% CI: 2.120-32.233, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Among women who underwent cervical biopsy, higher high-risk HPV viral load in cervical lesions was associated with a higher risk of high-grade cervical lesions.

Analysis of influencing factors of viral load in patients with high-risk human papillomavirus

Background

High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) load is thought to be influenced by many factors, and the relationship between viral load and the degree of cervical lesion is controversial. This study explored the possible influencing factors of HR-HPV viral load in the uterine cervix.

Methods

A total of 605 women who needed colposcopic evaluation for abnormal cervical screening at the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, China, between November 2017 and September 2018 were enrolled. Cervical specimens were collected from the endo- and ectocervix separately using two different cervical brushes. The hybrid capture II test was used to measure HR-HPV load. Age, histological severity, number of viral types, and area and location of cervical lesions were recorded. The correlations between viral load and influencing factors were analysed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

HR-HPV load was positively correlated with age, histological severity, multiple HPV types and area of cervical lesions (P < 0.05). Viral load with the combination of endo- and ectocervical sampling was significantly higher than simple endocervical sampling (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age, multiple HPV types and area of cervical lesions were independent factors for HR-HPV load with a combination of endo- and ectocervical sampling (P < 0.05). However, only age and area of cervical lesions were independent factors for viral load with simple endocervical sampling (P < 0.05). No significant association was found between viral load and lesion severity in multivariate analysis (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

HR-HPV load is influenced by age, histological severity, multiple viral types, area of cervical lesion and sampling methods. Age and area of cervical lesions are independent factors for viral load.

Cost-effectiveness and accuracy of cervical cancer screening with a high-risk HPV genotyping assay vs a nongenotyping assay in China: an observational cohort study

Background

New screening techniques may affect the optimal approaches for the prevention of cervical cancer. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness and accuracy of alternative screening strategies to provide evidence for cervical cancer screening guidelines in China.

Methods

In total, 32,306 women were enrolled. The current screening with Cervista^® high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) nongenotyping and cytology cotesting (Cervista^® cotesting) was compared with PCR-reverse dot blot HR-HPV genotyping and cytology cotesting (PCR-RDB cotesting). All eligible participants were divided into Arm 1, in which both HR-HPV assays were performed, and Arms 2 and 3, in which the PCR-RDB HPV or Cervista^® HR-HPV assay, respectively, was performed. Outcome indicators included the cases, sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV), colposcopy referral rate and cost of identifying cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade 2/3 or worse (CIN2+/CIN3+).

Results

Among the eligible participants, 18.4% were PCR-RDB HR-HPV-positive, while 16.9% were Cervista^® HR-HPV-positive, which reflects good agreement (k = 0.73). PCR-RDB cotesting identified more CIN3+ cases than Cervista^® cotesting in the first round of screening in Arm 1 (37 vs 32) and Arms 2/3 (252 vs 165). The sensitivity and NPV of PCR-RDB cotesting for identifying CIN3+ in Arm 1 (sensitivity: 94.9% vs 86.5%; NPV: 99.9% vs 99.7%) and Arms 2/3 (sensitivity: 95.1% vs 80.9%; NPV: 99.9% vs 99.6%) were higher than those of Cervista^® cotesting, but the cost was similar.

Conclusions

The PCR-RDB HR-HPV genotyping and Cervista^® HR-HPV assay results were consistent. PCR-RDB cotesting possesses optimal cost-effectiveness for cervical cancer screening in China, which has the highest number of cases globally but low screening coverage.

HR-HPV viral load quality detection provide more accurate prediction for residual lesions after treatment: a prospective cohort study in patients with high-grade squamous lesions or worse

The relationship between high-risk-human-papillomavirus (HR-HPV) viral loads and residual/recurrence lesion is uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of HR-HPV viral loads to predict the residual/recurrence lesions among women with high-grade squamous lesions or worse (≥ HSIL) after surgery. Finally, 301 women who underwent primary screening of cervical cancer using polymerase-chain-reaction-(PCR)-reverse-dot-blot-(RDB) human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping and cytology assays were enrolled. They received surgery and took HR-HPV viral loads with a BioPerfectus Multiplex Real-Time PCR assay. Colposcopy biopsies were performed in patients with HPV-16/18(+) and/or TCT ≥ ASCUS with HR-HPV(+). The risk of HR-HPV viral loads and potentials factors for residual/recurrence lesions were analyzed and the optimal cut-off values of HR-HPV viral loads were calculated. The significant differences were found in residual/recurrence lesions among patients with different ages, margin status, cytology and HR-HPV at 6 months (all P < 0.05). Interestingly, HPV viral loads were observed significant differences in the group of residual lesions, not recurrence group. Furthermore, except for HPV-31/33, the viral loads of HP-16/52/58 were significant differences in residual lesions. The cut-off level of HR-HPV viral loads was 5.22 copies/10,000 cells, providing viable triage for the risk of residual lesions. Compared with different follow-up methods, the HR-HPV viral loads ≥ 5.22copies/10,000 cells (HR 3.39, 95% CI 1.57-7.35) had a higher risk for developing residual lesions. HR-HPV viral loads can be a reliable predictor of residual lesions. Furthermore, women with viral loads ≥ 5.22 copies/10,000 cells may have higher risk for residual disease and should be give a more aggressive treatment and follow-up strategy.

Prevalent, persistent anal HPV infection and squamous intraepithelial lesions: Findings from a cohort of men living with HIV in South Africa

Objective

To estimate the prevalence, incidence and persistence of anal HPV infection and squamous intra-epithelial lesions (SILs) among men living with HIV (MLHIV), and determine their risk factors.

Methods

We enrolled MLHIV ≥18 years, who attended 6-monthly visits for 18 months. Socio-behavioural data were collected by questionnaire. Clinicians collected blood sample (CD4+ count and HIV plasma viral load), anal swabs (HPV DNA testing) and anal smears (Bethesda classification) at each visit. HPV DNA testing and classification of smears were done at enrolment and last follow-up visit (two time points). Factors associated with persistent anal HPV infection and SILs were evaluated with generalized estimating equations logistic regression and standard logistic regression respectively.

Results

Mean age of 304 participants was 38 (Standard Deviation, 8) years; 25% reported >1 sexual partner in the past 3 months. Only 5% reported ever having sex with other men. Most (65%) participants were taking antiretroviral treatment (ART), with a median CD4+ count of 445 cells/μL (IQR, 328–567). Prevalence of any-HPV infection at enrolment was 39% (88/227). In total, 226 men had anal HPV DNA results at both enrolment and final visits. Persistence of any-anal HPV infection among 80 men who had infection at enrolment was 26% (21/80). Any persistent anal HPV infection was more frequent among MLHIV with low CD4+ count (<200 vs. >500 cells/μL; aOR = 6.58; 95%CI: 2.41–17.94). Prevalence of anal SILs at enrolment was 49% (118/242) while incidence of SILs among MLHIV who had no anal dysplasia at enrolment was 27% (34/124). Of the 118 men who had anal dysplasia at enrolment, 15% had regressed and 38% persisted by month 18. Persistent anal HPV infection was associated with persistent SILs (aOR = 2.95; 95%CI: 1.08–10.89). ART status or duration at enrolment were not associated with persistent anal HPV infection or persistent SILs during follow-up.

Conclusion

In spite of a high prevalence of anal HPV, HIV-positive heterosexual men have a low burden of anal HPV related disease. HPV vaccine and effective ART with immunological reconstitution could reduce this burden of infection.

Type-specific high-risk human papillomavirus viral load as a viable triage indicator for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion: a nested case- control study

Purpose

Currently, the associations between type-specific high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) viral loads and cervical lesions are still inconsistent. We aimed to assess the type-specific HR-HPV viral load as a risk triage indicator for development of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse (≥HSIL).

Patients and methods

A total of 19,446 women who underwent primary screening for cervical cancer using Cervista^® HR-HPV and cytology assays were enrolled. The viral loads of 1,396 HR-HPV-positive specimens confirmed by Cervista^® assay were detected by BioPerfectus Multiplex Real-Time PCR assay. The correlation between viral loads and cervical lesions was analyzed. The optimal cutoffs of individual HR-HPV viral loads used to predict ≥HSIL were determined from the receiver operating characteristic curve. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between covariates and the probability of ≥HSIL.

Results

The viral loads of HPV-16, -31, -33, -52, and -58 were positively correlated with the severity of the cervical lesion, which was significantly elevated in patients with ≥HSIL, whereas those of HPV-18, -45, -56, -59, and other types were not. The optimal cutoffs of the log₁₀-transformed viral loads for HPV-16, -31, -33, -52, and -58 in identifying ≥HSIL were 4.26, 4.46, 4.48, 4.36, and 4.26 copies per 10,000 cells, respectively. Furthermore, multivariate analysis indicated that type-specific viral loads of HPV-16, -31, -33, -52, and -58 exceeding the cutoffs could be independent risk factors for the incidence of ≥HSIL.

Conclusion

The BioPerfectus Multiplex Real-Time PCR viral load assay provides viable triage for ≥HSIL when using appropriate cutoff levels.

HPV-16, HPV-58, and HPV-33 are the most carcinogenic HPV genotypes in Southwestern China and their viral loads are associated with severity of premalignant lesions in the cervix

Background

Currently, the role of human papillomavirus (HPV)-58 in southwestern China has been unexplored. Although there is some controversy, it is proposed that the viral load of HPV correlates with the severity of intraepithelial lesions.

Methods

We identified 7747 patients from south Sichuan and adjacent regions who were diagnosed with HPV between 2013 and 2017. The HR-HPV subtype distribution was analyzed and the patient’s viral loads were quantified using real-time RT-PCR.

Results

Among all 7747 patients screened for HPV genotypes, 1728 patients (22.31%) were identified as having HR-HPV subtypes. In patients without intraepithelial lesions (12.41%), HPV-52, HPV-16, and HPV-58 were the three most prevalent HR-HPV subtypes. Moreover, HPV-16, HPV-58, and HPV-33 were the most prevalent subtypes in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade II (CINII) (42.86%) and grade III (CINIII) (59.81%), and accounted for the majority of invasive cervical cancer (ICC) (69.34%). Thus, viral loads of HPV-58, HPV-16, and HPV-33 positively correlated with the severity of cervical lesions (P < 0.001, P = 0.016, P = 0.026, respectively). Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the optimum thresholds for predicting severe intraepithelial lesions of cases (CINI, CINIII and ICC) with HPV-16, HPV-58, and HPV-33, respectively, were obtained, which were 1, 0.93, and 0.25, respectively.

Conclusion

In our study, we showed that HPV-16 was the most common carcinogenic HPV subtype in southwestern China followed by HPV-58 and HPV-33. Viral loads of these subtypes are associated with the severity of premalignant lesions in the cervix.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12985-018-1003-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.