Frequency and genotyping of human Papillomavirus in women from riparian communities in the Municipality of Abaetetuba, Pará State, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is recognized as the main causative agent of cervical cancer, and identifying high-risk HPVcan help prevent cervical lesions. The objective of this study was to identify the frequency of HPV infection in women from riparian communities in the Municipality of Abaetetuba, Pará State, Brazil, and to compare those results with their level of uterine injury presented by the patient, their vaginal flora and the type of HPV found. From September to December 2008, cervical samples were collected from riparian women who spontaneously presented themselves for a cytopathological test. In these samples, polymerase chain reaction followed by enzymatic digestion were conducted for molecularstudies and typing of HPV. Of the 79 samples analyzed, nine (11.39%) were positive for HPV, and HPV types 6, 54a, 58, 72, 81 and 102 were identified, along with multiple other infections. All of the samples that tested positive for HPV were associated with an inflammatory smear and/or with cellular alterations on cytological examination. HPV was identified in 20% (5/25) of inflammatory smears in women younger than 30 years of age (p = 0.0435). HPV infection was identified in 33.4% (5/15) of women examined in the community of Tucumanduba in contrast with the 6.2% (4/64) combined frequency found in the other communities (p = 0.0103). The presence of high oncogenic risk HPV warrants the importance of specific actions aimed at preventing the transmission of this virus and screening for related diseases in riparian communities in the Municipality studied.