Prevalence of human papillomavirus genotypes, and mucosal IgA anti-viral responses in women with cervical ectopy
Received 6 January 2009; received in revised form 29 September 2009; accepted 7 October 2009. published online 11 November 2009.
Abstract
Background
Data on the prevalence of different human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes and the associated mucosal immune response in women with cervical ectopy are scarce.
Objective
To assess the prevalence of different HPV genotypes and the mucosal anti-viral immune response in cervical ectopy.
Study design
Detection and typing of HPV DNA was determined in 141 women with cervical ectopy, 272 cytologically normal controls and 98 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) by PCR and direct sequencing. Mucosal IgA antibodies to HPV16 and HPV18 were evaluated in cervical mucus by ELISA.
Results
The prevalence of HPV in cervical ectopy was higher (73.7%) than that observed in control samples (30.5% in endocervix, and 1.8% in exocervix), but similar to the prevalence in LSIL (62.2%). Typing showed that the overall distribution frequency concerned 14 different genotypes, with HPV18 being the most prevalent in cervical ectopy (53.9%), whereas HPV16 predominated in LSIL (38.7%). High-risk HPV genotypes were 2.2 times more frequent in cervical ectopy than in the normal endocervix (p<0.0001). HPV infection in cervical ectopy patients was accompanied by a mucosal IgA-antibody response. Antibody reactivity to HPV18 was significantly higher than the response to HPV16.
Conclusion
Cervical ectopy is a risk factor for infection with high-risk HPV genotypes, in particular HPV18. Our results emphasize the need of further studies to clarify the oncogenic potential of this virus in cervical ectopy.
aDepartamento de Biologia Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomedicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Circuito Escolar s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico D.F., C.P. 04510, Mexico
bFundacion Cruz Talonia, Colegio Mexicano de Colposcopistas, Mexico D.F., Mexico
ABSTRACT