Human papillomavirus genotypes distribution in cervical samples from women living with human immunodeficiency virus

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and relationship of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in cervical samples from 140 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive women routinely attending an outpatient public gynecological service in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

MY09/11 consensus primers were used to detect generic HPV DNA. HPV typification was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis following polymerase chain reaction amplification.

The overall HPV prevalence was 60.0%. The identification of 24 different HPV genotypes including uncommon types was performed. A9 oncogenic genotypes were present in 54.02% of HIV-positive women. Abnormal cervical lesions, the time since HIV diagnosis and the number of sexual partners contributed independently to the high oncogenic HPV prevalence. The oncogenic and non-oncogenic group were similarly affected by risk factors in contrast to negative HPV women. The frequency of multiple infections was 20%; furthermore, all of them presented at least one oncogenic type.

The analyzed sample represents an epidemiological source of uncommon infection. Due to high HPV prevalence, more frequent cytological screening and/or liberal colposcopic evaluations should be performed in HIV-positive patients.