Prevalent human papillomavirus infection increases the risk of HIV acquisition in African women: advancing the argument for human papillomavirus immunization

High-risk human papillomavirus prevalence among South African women diagnosed with other STIs and BV

INTRODUCTION

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a leading cause of cervical cancer. Although this relies on infection and persistence of HPV in epithelial cells, often occurring in the context of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and bacterial vaginosis (BV), data on the relationships between these and their relative effects on epithelial barrier integrity in women remain sparse. This study describes the epidemiology of HPV combined with STI and/or BV prevalence and the relative impact on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) among South African women.

METHODS

Roche Linear Array was used for HPV genotyping in menstrual cup pellets of 243 HIV-negative women participating in the CAPRISA 083 cohort study. Vulvovaginal swabs were tested for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis using Xpert® CT/NG assay and lateral flow assay, and Gram staining was performed to diagnose BV using Nugent scoring criteria. Concentrations of 5 MMPs were measured in menstrual cup supernatants by multiplexed ELISA. Fisher's exact tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and multivariable regression models determined associations between HPV infection, STI and/or BV, and MMP concentrations.

RESULTS

HPV was prevalent in 34% of women (83/243; median 23 years, interquartile range (IQR) 21-27 years). Low-risk (lr) (71%, 59/83) and high-risk (hr)-HPV infections (54.2%, 45/83) were common. Hr-HPV was frequently detected in STI and/or BV-positive women compared to women without STIs or BV (p = 0.029). In multivariable analysis, BV was associated with increased odds of hr-HPV detection (OR: 2.64, 95%CI: 1.02-6.87, p = 0.046). Furthermore, Gardasil®9 vaccine-type strains were more frequently detected in women diagnosed with STI and/or BV (55.2%, 32/58 vs 24%, 6/25; p = 0.009). Among STI and/or BV-positive women, HPV detection was significantly associated with increased MMP-10 concentrations (b = 0.55, 95% CI 0.79-1.01; p = 0.022).

CONCLUSION

Most women with hr-HPV had another STI and/or BV, emphasizing an urgent need for STI and BV screening and intensive scale-up of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination programmes. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for more extensive research to confirm and understand the relationship between HPV infection and barrier integrity.

Cervicovaginal Human Papillomavirus Genomes, Microbiota Composition and Cytokine Concentrations in South African Adolescents

The interaction between cervicovaginal virome, bacteriome and genital inflammation has not been extensively investigated. We assessed the vaginal DNA virome from 33 South African adolescents (15-19 years old) using shotgun DNA sequencing of purified virions. We present analyses of eukaryote-infecting DNA viruses, with a focus on human papillomavirus (HPV) genomes and relate these to the vaginal bacterial microbiota (assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing) and cytokines (assessed by Luminex). The DNA virome included single-stranded (Anelloviridae, Genomoviridae) and double-stranded DNA viruses (Adenoviridae, Alloherpesviridae, Herpesviridae, Marseilleviridae, Mimiviridae, Polyomaviridae, Poxviridae). We identified 110 unique, complete HPV genomes within two genera (Alphapapillomavirus and Gammapapillomavirus) representing 40 HPV types and 12 species. Of the 40 HPV types identified, 35 showed positive co-infection patterns with at least one other type, mainly HPV-16. HPV-35, a high-risk genotype currently not targeted by available vaccines, was the most prevalent HPV type identified in this cohort. Bacterial taxa commonly associated with bacterial vaginosis also correlated with the presence of HPV. Bacterial vaginosis, rather than HPV, was associated with increased genital inflammation. This study lays the foundation for future work characterizing the vaginal virome and its role in women's health.

Sexually transmitted infections and female reproductive health

Women are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) throughout life. In addition to their high prevalence in women, STIs have debilitating effects on female reproductive health due to female urogenital anatomy, socio-cultural and economic factors. In this Review, we discuss the prevalence and impact of non-HIV bacterial, viral and parasitic STIs on the reproductive and sexual health of cisgender women worldwide. We analyse factors affecting STI prevalence among transgender women and women in low-income settings, and describe the specific challenges and barriers to improved sexual health faced by these population groups. We also synthesize the latest advances in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of STIs.

Women are more affected by sexually transmitted infections than men. This Review examines the impact of non-HIV STIs on women’s health, and discusses recent advances and current challenges in the treatment and prevention of STIs.

Screening for Early Detection of Cervical Cancer in Women Living with HIV in Mumbai, India - Retrospective Cohort Study from a Tertiary Cancer Center

Introduction Women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have an increased risk of persistent human papillomavirus infection (HPV) of developing cervical cancer precursors and are, therefore, considered at higher risk for cervical cancer. Despite the higher risk, screening for cervical cancer is extremely low among HIV-positive women in India.

Objectives Given the limited usefulness of cytology-based screening programs, the current study retrospectively evaluated the comparative performance of visual inspection with 5% acetic acid (VIA), conventional cytology, and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing among HIV-positive women attending the cancer screening clinic at the tertiary cancer center.

Materials and Methods Retrospective analysis of 291 HIV-positive women attending cervical cancer screening services in a tertiary cancer center in Mumbai was undertaken. All underwent simultaneous screening with VIA, Pap cytology, and HPV DNA testing, followed by diagnostic colposcopy and histopathology. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2/3 on histology were estimated.

Results The screen positivity rate for cervical cancer screening by VIA, high-risk HPV DNA, and Pap cytology was 35.7, 34.4, and 6.2% respectively. At the CIN2+ disease threshold, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV estimates were 80.00% (59.30–93.17), 68.42% (62.46–73.96), 19.23% (15.46–23.67), 97.33% (94.30–98.77) for VIA; 80.00% (68.78–97.45), 70.68% (64.81–76.08), 22.00% (18.22–26.32), 98.43% (95.58–99.45) for HPV DNA; and 64.00% (42.52–82.03), 98.12% (95.67–99.39), 76.19% (56.13–88.89), 96.67% (94.50–98.00) for cytology (HSIL cutoff).

Conclusion The diagnostic performance of VIA and HPV DNA was comparable and better than cytology indicating that VIA as a cost-effective cervical cancer screening test can be incorporated within the services under sexually transmitted diseases /HIV testing and counseling centers within the country.

Cervical cancer prevention and control in women living with human immunodeficiency virus

Despite being highly preventable, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer and cause of cancer death in women globally. In low-income countries, cervical cancer is often the leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome are at a particularly high risk of cervical cancer because of an impaired immune response to human papillomavirus, the obligate cause of virtually all cervical cancers. Globally, approximately 1 in 20 cervical cancers is attributable to HIV; in sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 1 in 5 cervical cancers is due to HIV. Here, the authors provide a critical appraisal of the evidence to date on the impact of HIV disease on cervical cancer risk, describe key methodologic issues, and frame the key outstanding research questions, especially as they apply to ongoing global efforts for prevention and control of cervical cancer. Expanded efforts to integrate HIV care with cervical cancer prevention and control, and vice versa, could assist the global effort to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem.