Human papillomavirus genotypes associated with cervical precancerous lesions and cancer in the highest area of cervical cancer mortality, Longnan, China.

BACKGROUND

The mortality of cervical cancer in Longnan is as high as 39/10 million, ranking first in China.

METHODS

Between 2012 to 2016, 329 samples with cervicitis, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 to 3 (CINI to III), and invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were collected. HPV genotypes were examined with a validated kit for 23 different HPV subtypes.

RESULTS

Compared to cervicitis, the HPV positivity is significantly higher in CINI, CIN II/III, and SCC (38.60%, 74.60%, 87.50% and 89.05%,  0.001) and the positivity is also higher in SCC compared to CINI ( 0.01). The most frequently detected genotypes were HPV16 in cervicitis, HPV16, 58 and 52 in CINI and CIN II/III, and HPV16, 58 and 18 in SCC groups. HPV16 positivity in cervicitis, CINI, CIN II/III, and SCC patients were 45.46%, 46.81%, 60.32% and 78.69%, respectively. Compared to cervicitis and CINI, the odds ratios (OR) for SCC in HPV16 positive patients were 2.96 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-8.00,  0.05) and 4.20 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.05-8.61,  0.001), respectively. In addition, the multiple infections in cervicitis, CINI, CINII/III and SCC group are 9.09%, 27.66%, 26.98% and 25.41% and HPV16 + 58 was the most common combinations.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the key role of HPV16, 58, 52 and 18 in the development of CIN and SCC in Longnan women and a fully aware of regional differences in HPV genotype distribution are tasks for cervical cancer control and prevention.