Prevalence and Distribution of High-risk Human Papillomavirus Genotypes in HIV Positive and HIV Negative Women with Abnormal Cervical Cytology

Abstract

Objective:  To evaluate  HR- HPV prevalence and genotype distribution among women with abnormal cervical cytology. Methods: A cross sectional study among 75 HIV positive and 75 HIV negative women with abnormal cervical cytology using 21 HPV Geno array method carried out between July to December 2018 at the cervical cancer screening unit. Chi square test was performed to compare the association of specific  HR HPV types between HIV positive and HIV negative women. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of HR HPV and a P value of  less than   0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Sixty six (44%) were positive for HR-HPV, with 43 (57.3%) being HIV positive and 23(30.7%) HIV negative (OR 3.1 [95%CI:1.6-6.2, p < 0.001]). Among the HIV positive women 20(27%) had multiple HR- HPV infections compared to 9(12%) in HIV negative women (OR 3.7 [95%CI:1.5-9.5, p = 0.038]). The most prevalent HR- HPV types among women without HIV were 31(16%), 18(9.3%), 58(8%), 16(6.6%), 35(2.6%)  and among women with HIV were 31(22.7%), 58(16%), 18(12%), 16(8%), 45&52(6.6%). Conclusion: Women with HIV had a significantly higher prevalence of HR HPV. Our study confirms the presence of the most common HR HPV types covered in bivalent and quadrivalent vaccines, but the nonavalent vaccine would be needed to protect women against other HPV subtypes (such as 31 and 58) which were also found in this population.  Thus, we recommend that preventive measures for cervical cancer should take into cognizance other HPV genotypes present and also the HIV status of the population.