High prevalence of HPV 18 and multiple infections with oncogenic HPV genotypes in women at risk of cervical cancer examined in Manaus, Brazil

Cervical cancer is a serious public health problem in Brazil, especially in Manaus (Amazonas), the city with the highest incidence rate of cervical cancer in the country. Persistent infection with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes is the cause of disease development. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of oncogenic genotypes in women at high risk for cervical precancer examined in two policlinics in Manaus. One hundred and two patients who underwent colposcopy took part in the research. The DNA samples obtained from the cervical epithelium were analyzed by PCR with type-specific primers for the detection of eight oncogenic genotypes, which were chosen based on previous studies. The presence of HPV virus was detected in all samples. The most prevalent oncogenic genotypes were 18 (47.1%) and 16 (45.1%). Interestingly, HPV 18 was considered uncommon in this region. In addition to these, genotypes 31 (19.6%), 58 (19.6%), 33 (18.6%), and 45 (15.7%) also had a relatively high frequency in this population. Fifty-six women (54.9%) had multiple infections with up to five oncogenic types. Also, the presence of genotypes other than 16 and 18 was observed in most samples (57.8%), which also deserves attention since they are not covered by currently available vaccines against HPV in Brazil. The high prevalence and multiple infections with several oncogenic HPV genotypes in association with precursor lesions for cervical cancer highlighted the need to improve strategies to prevent this disease in Amazonas.

Evaluación de estuches de PCR-tiempo real para detección de virus del papiloma humano de alto riesgo / Evaluation of real-time PCR kits to detect high-risk human papillomavirus

RESUMEN Introducción: El empleo de técnicas moleculares para el diagnóstico de virus del papiloma humano de alto riesgo oncogénico (VPH-AR) es crucial para la detección precoz del cáncer cervicouterino. Objetivo: Evaluar el desempeño analítico de dos estuches de PCR-tiempo real, comercializados por el Centro de Inmunoensayo de Cuba, para detectar VPH-AR. Métodos: Se utilizaron dos paneles de ADN de muestras cervicouterinas: uno con 150 muestras, para validar el estuche SUMASIGNAL HPV 16/18, el proceso de extracción de ADN y su utilidad como prueba cuantitativa, y otro con 163 muestras para evaluar el estuche HPV 13+2. Se determinó la utilidad clínica del estuche HPV 13+2 en 55 muestras cervicovaginales autocolectadas. Se calcularon los indicadores de desempeño analítico de ambos estuches con respecto a pruebas de referencia. Resultados: Los indicadores de desempeño para SUMASIGNAL HPV 16/18 fueron excelentes (> 95 %), concordancia 96 %, índice kappa=0,93 [0,85-1,01]. La extracción de ADN mostró 100 % de especificidad clínica y analítica y 95 % de sensibilidad analítica. Se obtuvo buena correlación con la prueba de referencia cuantitativa (r = + 0,688). El estuche HPV 13+2 tuvo especificidad y sensibilidad clínicas del 100 %, la especificidad analítica fue del 84 % debido a reactividad cruzada con otros VPH-AR. Su aplicación clínica reveló alta frecuencia de infección (41,8 %): 23,6 % con VPH-AR, particularmente en mujeres jóvenes (50 %). La muestra autocolectada resultó útil (100 %). Conclusión: Los ensayos evaluados mostraron altos estándares de calidad, lo que permitiría su uso con una cobertura nacional en una plataforma tecnológica disponible para todo el país.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The use of molecular techniques for the diagnosis of high oncogenic risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) is crucial for the early detection of cervical cancer. Objective: To evaluate the analytical performance of two real-time PCR kits, commercialized by the Cuban Immunoassay Center, to detect hrHPV. Methods: Two DNA panels from cervical samples were used: one with 150 samples to validate the SUMASIGNAL HPV 16/18 kit, the DNA extraction process and its usefulness as a quantitative test; and another with 163 samples to evaluate the HPV 13+2 kit. The clinical utility of the HPV 13+2 kit was determined in 55 self-collected cervicovaginal samples. The analytical performance indicators of both kits were calculated with respect to reference tests. Results: Performance indicators for SUMASIGNAL HPV 16/18 were excellent (>95%), concordance 96%, kappa index=0.93 [0.85-1.01]. DNA extraction showed 100% clinical and analytical specificity and 95% analytical sensitivity. Good correlation was obtained with the quantitative reference test (r = + 0.688). The HPV 13+2 kit had 100% clinical specificity and sensitivity, analytical specificity was 84% due to cross-reactivity with other hrHPVs. Its clinical application revealed a high frequency of infection (41.8%): 23.6% with hrHPV, particularly in young women (50%). The self-collected sample was viable (100%). Conclusion: The assays evaluated showed high quality standards, which would allow their use with national coverage in a technological platform available for the whole country.

Expression of T helper cell 17-related immune factors in women of child bearing age with human papillomavirus subclinical cervical infection / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective • To investigate the change of immune microenviroment in the lower genital tract of women who had early papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Methods • One hundred and twenty women infected with high-risk HPV were enrolled in the study, who were at the age of 25-46, with no cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN - III ) or cervical carcinoma. Twenty HPV-negative women were used as control, who did not have abnormal cervical squamous epithelial lesions screened by ThinPrep cytologic test. Vagina douche was collected, and the expression of T helper cell 17 (Th17)-related cytokines and interleukin 10 (IL-10)/IL-4 was tested by suspension micro phase protein chip technology. Results • The expression of IL-17, IL-6, TGF-β and IL-4 in HPV-positive patients was significantly higher than that in HPV-negative patients. The expression of IL-4 and IL-10 in HPV16/18-positive patients was significantly lower than that in patients infected with other HPV types. The expression of IL-17, IL-6 and TGF-β in patients with persistent HPV infection was insignificantly higher than that in patients with temporary HPV infection, while the expression of IL-17, IL-6 and TGF-β in patients with persistent HPV infection was significantly higher than that in HPV-negative patients. Conclusion • HPV infection can stimulate the body's immune response and change the local immune microenvironment in early stage. Th17 related cytokines are closely related to the persistent HPV infection. Maybe it can provide a new direction on the guidance of HPV treatment and prevention of persistent HPV infection.

Genotipificación del virus del papiloma humano en mujeres que asisten a un hospital gineco-obstétrico de tercer nivel de la Ciudad de México / Genotyping of human papillomavirus in women attending a third-level of gynecological-obstetric hospital in Mexico City

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de infección por el virus del papiloma humano en pacientes que acudieron a un hospital de tercer nivel de atención en la Ciudad de México. Método: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, transversal y descriptivo que incluyó 65 mujeres entre 15 a 46 años que asistieron a consulta para atención gineco-obstétrica. A todas las participantes se les tomó una muestra cervical para la detección/genotipificación del papiloma virus mediante la prueba Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test in vitro® (Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Branchburg, NJ). Resultados: Un total de 36 (55,4%) pacientes resultaron positivas al virus, en las que se identificaron 65 genotipos virales tanto en infección única (38,9%) como en infección por múltiples (61,1%) genotipos. El 29,2% de los genotipos identificados, fueron de alto riesgo. Los genotipos de alto riesgo más frecuentes fueron: VPH52 y 51; mientras que los genotipos de bajo riesgo más comunes fueron: VPH6 y 53. Un tercio de las pacientes con infección mostraron al menos un genotipo de alto riesgo. Conclusión: En este estudio, se observó una frecuencia relativamente baja de genotipos de alto riesgo del virus del papiloma humano, sin embargo se identificó un porcentaje importante de co-infección por múltiples genotipos. Por esta razón, se considera necesario dar seguimiento a mediano y largo plazo para monitorear la evolución de la infección.

Objective: To identify which are the most frequent genotypes of human papilloma virus among a group of gynecologic-obstetric patients at tertiary care hospital in Mexico City. Method: A prospective and descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among a group of 65 women, aged 15-46 years, receiving gynecological-obstetric care. Cervical specimens were taken from all participants for direct HPV detection/ genotyping by means of a Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test in vitro® (Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Branchburg, NJ). Results: Virus detection was achieved in 36 patients (55.4%), with a total of 65 genotypes, either as single (38.9%) or multiple-genotype (61.1%) infections. High risk genotypes accounted for only 29.2% of all genotype. The most frequent high risk genotypes were HPV52 and 51, while HPV6 and 53 were the most frequent low risk ones. At least one high risk genotype was present in one third of infected patients. Conclusion: The relative low frequency of oncogenic human papilloma virus genotypes among the women in this study was observed, however a significant percentage of co-infection with multiple genotypes were identified. Thus, mid- to long-term follow up might be necessary for those patients to monitor the evolution of the infection.