Abstract
BackgroundInfection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV)types has been recognized as a causal factor for the development of cervical cancer and a number of other malignancies. Today, vaccines against HPV, highly effective in the prevention of persistent infection and precancerous lesions, are available for the routine clinical practice.ObjectivesThe data on the prevalence and type-specific HPV distribution in the population of each country are crucial for the surveillance of HPV type-specific prevalence at the onset of vaccination against HPV.MethodsWomen attending a preventive gynecological examination who had no history of abnormal cytological finding and/or surgery for cervical lesions were enrolled. All samples were tested for the presence of HPV by High-Risk Hybrid Capture 2 (HR HC2) and by a modified PCR-reverse line blot assay with broad spectrum primers (BS-RLB).ResultsCervical smears of 1393 women were analyzed. In 6.5% of women, atypical cytological findings were detected. Altogether, 28.3% (394/1393) of women were positive for any HPV type by BS-RLB, 18.2% (254/1393) by HR HC2, and 22.3% (310/1393) by BS-RLB for HR HPV types. In women with atypical findings the prevalence for HR and any HPV types were significantly higher than in women with normal cytological findings. Overall, 36 different HPV types were detected, with HPV 16 being the most prevalent (4.8%). HPV positivity decreased with age; the highest prevalence was 31.5% in the age group 21-25 years.ConclusionsOur study subjects represent the real screening population. HPV prevalence in this population in the Czech Republic is higher than in other countries of Eastern Europe. Also the spectrum of the most prevalent HPV types differs from those reported by others but HPV 16 is, concordantly, the most prevalent type. Country-specific HPV type-specific prevalences provide baseline information which will enable to measure the impact of HPV vaccination in the future.
Highlights
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small DNA viruses which infect mucosal and skin epithelia
The low risk (LR) HPV types cause benign lesions while high risk (HR) HPV types have been established as etiological agents of cervical cancer (CC) [1,2]
High HPV prevalence was reported to correlate with high incidence of CC with two exceptions, Southern Asia and Eastern Europe [5]
Summary
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small DNA viruses which infect mucosal and skin epithelia. In a meta-analysis of 1 million women with normal cytological findings, the estimated global HPV prevalence was 11.7% and there were substantial differences between continents. In the Czech Republic the incidence of CC is consistently very high, 16.1/100 000 women (European standard) in 2010, despite the fact that considerable financial resources are directed toward cervical cancer prevention. The age recommended by the Czech Gynecological and Obstetrical Society for the first examination of women after the onset of sexual life is 15 years and there is no limitation in terms of screening age specified in the program for cervical cancer prevention in the Czech Republic. Methods: Women attending a preventive gynecological examination who had no history of abnormal cytological finding and/or surgery for cervical lesions were enrolled. HPV prevalence in this population in the Czech Republic is higher than in other countries of Eastern Europe. Country-specific HPV type-specific prevalences provide baseline information which will enable to measure the impact of HPV vaccination in the future
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