Pap Test Screening among Vertically HIV-Infected Young Women

Abstract

Background: The risk of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer has increased in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected women. Several other Genital Infections (GI), have been shown to act as risk factors for the acquisition of HPV infection and for the development of cervical cancer. Methods: In this observational study, we evaluated the prevalence of HPV infection, GI and cervical abnormalities among vertically HIV-infected young women in the early years of sexual activity. HPV viral strains have been classified as high risk and low risk to develop precancerous and cancerous lesions according to the WHO classification. Results: Eighteen vertically HIV-infected young women and eleven healthy age matched controls were studied. HIV-infected young women showed a higher incidence of high risk HPV genotype infection compared to healthy control. HIV-infected women affected by HPV presented lower levels of CD4+ percentages. GI and Pap test did not show any relation with HPV infection and effects were similar in both groups. Conclusion: HIV infection and low CD4+ percentages seem to play a key role as risk factors for HPV-infection among HIV-infected young women. Therefore, future efforts will be needed to improve the adherence of HIV-infected young women in HPV pap test screening considering the lower ability of these patients to clear the HPV infection.