Prevalence of human papillomavirus in Mazandaran Province, Islamic Republic of Iran

We report the prevalence of human papillomavirus [HPV] types in 100 cervical biopsy specimens in Mazandaran province. HPV DNA was detected in 78.6% of cervical carcinoma cases, 64.3% of dys/ metaplasia and 9% of normal cases. Significant correlation was found between the presence of HPV DNA and development of cervical carcinoma. HPV types 16 and 18 were detected in 60.6% of HPV-positive cervical carcinoma cases, whereas HPV31 and 33 were found in 21.2%, and HPV6 and 11 in 18.2%. Among HPV-positive dys/metaplasia cases, 55.6% were positive for HPV16 and 18, 22.3% for HPV6 and 11, and 11.1% for HPV31 and 33. Only HPV6 and 11 were detected in 4 [100%] normal biopsy specimens