Human papillomavirus genotypes in genital warts in Latin America: a cross-sectional study in Bogota, Colombia

Epidemiological studies on benign lesions related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are scarce in Latin America. We enrolled 342 consecutive patients with lesions suspected of being genital warts (GW). All patients underwent confirmatory biopsy and GP5+/GP6+/- Reverse Line Blot HPV testing on frozen tissue. In 261 (81%) cases, the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology and HPV was detected in 90.6% of men and 87.7% of women. HPV 6 was by far the most common type in both women (62%) and men (56%), followed by HPV 11 (∼20%). Co-infection with these two types occurred in 7% and 12% of women and men, respectively. HPV16 ranked third in prevalence, with 16% of patients testing positive. Twenty-five percent of cases tested positive for multiple HPV genotypes. Although HPV 6 and HPV 11 were the main types detected and no differences between men and women were observed, we found HPV 11 contributed more to GW aetiology compared with previous reports, showing a variability of HPV type distribution in GW across populations. This information is valuable baseline data in Latin America for future estimations of the burden of GW in men and women and shows the potential benefit obtainable by prophylactic vaccination against HPV types 6 and 11.

The utility of serologic tests as biomarkers for Helicobacter pylori-associated precancerous lesions and gastric cancer varies between Latin American countries

PURPOSE

Currently, studies on serologic diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric cancer (GC) in Latin America are scarce. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between H. pylori serology tests in patients with early precancerous lesions or GC, when compared with non-atrophic gastritis in Colombia, Paraguay, and Mexico, three countries in Latin America with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection but contrasting rates of GC mortality.

METHODS

Gastric biopsies and blood samples were obtained from patients attending the gastroenterology or oncology services of hospitals in the three participating countries. IgG antibodies against H. pylori whole-cell antigens and CagA were tested in 1,117 sera using an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay.

RESULTS

Positive and significant associations were shown for H. pylori seropositivity and preneoplastic lesions in Mexico (OR 2.0; 95 % CI 1.1-3.4) but not in Colombia (OR 1.2; 95 % CI 0.6-2.1) or Paraguay (OR 1.5; 95 % CI 0.6-3.2); no significant associations were shown for GC in any country. CagA seropositivity was associated with preneoplasic lesions in all three countries (ORs = 2.1, 3.0, and 3.1 for Mexico, Colombia, and Paraguay, respectively), and with GC only in Colombia (OR 4.3; 95 % CI 2.1-9.2).

CONCLUSIONS

In countries of Latin America, the IgG CagA test might be a useful biomarker for patients with gastric preneoplastic lesions and for those at risk of developing gastric cancer.

Persistence of HPV infection and risk of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in a cohort of Colombian women

Little is known about the dynamics of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and subsequent development of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2/3), particularly in women >30 years of age. This information is needed to assess the impact of HPV vaccines and consider new screening strategies. A cohort of 1728 women 15–85 years old with normal cytology at baseline was followed every 6 months for an average of 9 years. Women with squamous intraepithelial lesions were referred for biopsy and treatment. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate the median duration of infection and Cox regression analysis was undertaken to assess determinants of clearance and risk of CIN2/3 associated with HPV persistence. No difference in the likelihood of clearance was observed by HPV type or woman's age, with the exception of lower clearance for HPV16 infection in women under 30 years of age. Viral load was inversely associated with clearance. In conclusion, viral load is the main determinant of persistence, and persistence of HPV16 infections carry a higher risk of CIN2/3.