Unveiling Hidden Risks: Intentional Molecular Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections and Vaginosis Pathogens in Patients Who Have Been Exclusively Tested for Human Papillomavirus Genotyping.

UNLABELLED

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide, with popular screening methods including the Papanicolaou test and HPV genotyping. However, in clinical practice, coinfections with other pathogens are often underestimated. Therefore, our study aims to describe the prevalence of STIs and vaginosis in urogenital samples from patients who had been tested exclusively for HPV genotyping.

METHODS

This analytical, prospective, cross-sectional study included 408 males and females. Eligible participants had positive and negative HPV genotyping test results and agreed to early detection or had HPV antecedents. They provided the same urogenital samples used for HPV detection and, through our multiplex in-house PCR assay, we screened for spp., spp., , , , herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV), spp., molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), , spp., , and spp. The subsequent statistical analysis aimed to reveal correlations between HPV genotypes and the identified pathogens.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 72.1% (n = 294) tested positive for HPV genotypes. HR-HPV (high-risk HPV) genotypes comprised 51 (8.1%), 66 (7.1%), and 58 (6.1%). spp., spp., spp., , and . frequently co-occurred with HPV infection ( < 0.05). Gender-based variations were notorious for spp., spp., and MCV ( < 0.05). Coinfections were prevalent (43.9%), with a positive HPV result elevating the risk for , spp., , HSV, and MCV (OR > 1, < 0.05). HPV 16 correlated with HSV and spp., while HPV 6 was linked with HSV and MCV ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This screening strategy uncovered significant coinfections and associations between HPV genotypes and pathogens, underscoring the importance of routine screening to explore clinical implications in urogenital health.