Circulation of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in women from Córdoba, Argentina, with squamous intraepithelial lesions

Circulating cervical cancer biomarkers potentially useful in medical attention (Review)

Cervical cancer (CC) is a public health problem worldwide, including Mexico. This type of cancer is the fourth most frequent in women worldwide; in Mexico it is the second most common type in women after breast cancer. The diagnosis of CC is based mainly on Pap smears and colposcopy and the identification of molecular tools that serve as a support for these methods is urgent. Regarding this, differential expressions of specific circulating biomolecules has been detected and, based on this, they have been postulated as potential biomarkers for CC diagnosis, prognosis, and/or to identify the response to treatments. Importantly, the combined analysis of these molecules considerably improves their efficacy as biomarkers and their potential use in the medical attention is promising.

Human papillomavirus and Chlamydia trachomatis in oral and genital mucosa of women with normal and abnormal cervical cytology

Background

HPV and C.trachomatis are the most prevalent, viral and bacterial STI worldwide. Both commonly have an asymptomatic development and can evolve into a persistent infection which, added to coinfections, may be important cofactors for the oncogenic transformation.

Objective

Evaluate the prevalence of oral and genital HPV and C.trachomatis infection in women with normal and abnormal cervical cytology.

Study design

The cross-sectional study included 200 swabs, 100 oral and 100 cervical from 50 women with normal and 50 with abnormal cervical cytology. HPV and C.trachomatis infections were detected using PCR with specific primers.

Results

HPV DNA was detected in 27% (n = 27/100) of women with normal and abnormal cytology. Out of 100 genital samples we detected HPV DNA in 18% (n = 18/100) and 14% (n = 14/100) out of 100 oral samples. HPV genotypes detected were genotype 6 of low-risk and 16, 31, 52, 58 and 16–31 coinfection of high-risk. C.trachomatis DNA was detected in 49% (n = 49/100) of patients. Out of 100 genital samples we detected C.trachomatis in 35% (n = 35/100) and 31% (n = 31) out of 100 oral samples. There is statistically significant (p < 0.05) between cytology and HPV and C.trachomatis infection but there is no statistically significant between cytology and the other characteristics.

Conclusions

Since the histology of oral mucosa resembles that of the uterine cervix, we can anticipate the presence of HPV and other STI which are detected in different lesions of genital areas and the oral mucosa. Therefore, is important C.trachomatis detection and specific treatment in asymptomatic women because this infection may increase the risk of HPV persistence and coinfection induces a pro-inflammatory environment that may promote the carcinogenesis.

Prevalence of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) in the adult population of Córdoba, Argentina

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) in the population of Córdoba, Argentina and its association with other risk factors.

Methods:

A sample of 401 volunteers over 18 years, representative of Cordoba city population, was selected. Using a questionnaire, we collected sociodemographic data including the use of tobacco, alcohol, and mate consumption. Two biological samples were taken from each individual, whole mouth saliva and a scraping of the posterior border of the tongue. HPV was determined by polymerase chain reaction using MY09/11 primers. Statistical associations were analyzed using χ2 test.

Results:

Prevalence of HPV in the population was of 3% (13/401). The mean age of HPV-positive cases was 42 years with a range of 20–85; 54% were females. Among the 13 cases whose saliva was positive for HPV, only 7 (54%) had HPV-DNA in the tongue scraping. All identified genotypes were of low risk and HPV11 was the most frequent type in 62% of positive cases. None of the positive subjects exhibited oral lesions compatible with HPV infection. Ten (77%) of the HPV-positive subjects exhibited lesions in the oral mucosa, mostly related to chronic mechanical irritation (CMI) (odds ratio 3, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–8.97, p < 0.05). Fifty-four percent of HPV-positive individuals were light smokers and consumed alcohol moderately. The combination of both habits was observed in 31%. Sixty-two percent drank mate at high water temperatures. No differences were detected in the sexual behavior or in the reported number of sexual partners between HPV-positive and -negative subjects.

Conclusion:

The overall prevalence of oral HPV in adults was 3%; only the low-risk genotypes were detected and no association with other risk factors for oral cancer was found. However, an association with CMI of the oral mucosa was noted. The saliva sample proved to be a simple, efficient, and well-tolerated method suitable for screening for HPV, and more cases were detected in saliva compared with tissue scrapings.

Type-Specific Identification of Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection in Women with Cytological Abnormality

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the frequency of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the genotype distribution of HPV among women with a Pap smear showing atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) attending the Program for the Detection and Control of Cervical Cancer in Bogotá, Colombia.

STUDY DESIGN

Cervical samples from 200 women with an ASC-US Pap smear were analyzed for the presence of HPV DNA and genotype distribution using a commercial molecular technique (Linear Array®; Roche Molecular Systems, USA).

RESULTS

HPV infection was found in 140 women (70%). High-risk HPV types were present in 46.4% of the samples; 16.4% showed a low-risk HPV type, and 37.1% showed both. Of the positive samples, 42.9% were infected with a single viral genotype, whereas 57.1% exhibited multiple HPV infections. The most common HPV genotypes were HPV 16, 53, and 52 with a prevalence of 26.4, 16.4, and 13.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The epidemiological characterization of HPV infections described in this study might guide actions for epidemiological surveillance to strengthen the program in Bogotá and to develop appropriate HPV vaccination programs.