Human Papillomavirus Genotypes Distribution by Cervical Cytologic Status among Women Attending the General Hospital of Loandjili, Pointe-Noire, Southwest Congo (Brazzaville)

HPV infection is associated with cervical cancer, one of the major public health problems in developing countries. In the Republic of Congo, despite of the high age-standardized incidence rate estimated at 25.2 per 100,000 women, molecular epidemiology data on HPV infections are very limited. 

We investigated HPV genotypes distribution in cervical smears among patients attending the General Hospital of Loandjili, Southwest Congo. A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted on 321 women. Liquid-based cytology samples were collected for cytological diagnosis and HPV detection. Nested-PCR was performed using MY09/MY11 and GP5+/GP6+ primers with genotyping by direct sequencing. Type-specific PCR for HPV-6, -11, -16, -18, -31 and -33 was also used to assess multiple infections. 

Out of 321 women examined, 189 (58.8%) had normal cytology, 16 (5.0%) had ASCUS and 116 (36.1%) had cytological abnormalities. HPV-DNA was detected in 22 (11.6%), 6 (37.5%), and 104 (89.6%) normal cytology, ASCUS and cytological abnormalities respectively. HPV16 was the most prevalent genotype regardless of cytological status followed by HPV70 in women without lesions and HPV33 among those with lesions. HR-HPV prevalence varied significantly according to the cervical cytology (P = 0.000). 

Among women without lesions, two peaks of HPV infections were observed in age group less than 30 years (60.0%) and in age group 50-59 years (7.1%). Age, age of first sex, multiple sexual partners and pregnancies were the risk factors for HPV infection in women without lesions. Our findings could be used as evidence data base for future epidemiological monitoring in this region.

Via: http://ht.ly/S4Vnq

By: Boumba LM1,2,3, Qmichou Z1,4, Mouallif M1,5, Attaleb M4, Mzibri ME2, Hilali L3, Donatien M3, Ennaji MM1.

• 1Laboratoire de Virologie, Microbiologie et Qualité/Eco-toxicologie et biodiversité, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques Mohammedia, Université Hassan II de Casablanca, BP:146 Mohammedia, Maroc.
• 2Laboratoire d'Agroalimentaire et Santé, Département de Biologie Appliquée, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Hassan 1er Settat B.P. 577, Settat, Maroc.
• 3Laboratoire d'Analyses Médicales et Morphologiques, Hôpital Général de Loandjili, B.P., Pointe-Noire, Congo.
• 4Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire, Unité de Biologie et Recherche Médicale, Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et des Techniques Nucléaires (CNESTEN) B.P. 1382 RP, Rabat, Maroc.
• 5Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la santé, Université Hassan 1er Settat B.P. 577, Settat, Maroc.