Human Papillomavirus genotypes associated with cervical intraepithelial lesions among Saudi women

HPV is responsible for over 90% of cervical cancer worldwide. HPV has numerous subtypes with great variety distribution in different geographical regions. Thus, the present study aimed at assessing Human Papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes associated with cervical intraepithelial lesions among Saudi women.

The current study collected cervical smears from 300 women transferred to a cytopathology laboratory between May 2020 and May 2021. The studied women were referred to do Pap smear because of gynecologic complaints.

Positive HPV testing was established in 4.7%. Most positive cases were identified in the age range of 14-50 years, followed by 51-60 years, representing 50% and 35.7%, respectively. The risk of HPV infection was significantly high in the age between 40-50 years, the odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (95% CI), OR (95% CI) = 3.0137 (1.0228 to 8.8797), p = 0.0454, z statistic = 2.001. About 57% of the cases of HPV were found with cytological atypia. The risk of HPV in inducing cytological atypia, the OR (95%CI) = 1.8546 (2.9386 to 27.0952), p = 0.0001, z statistic = 3.862. Inflammatory cells infiltrate was identified in 43% of HPV-positive cases. The risk of HPV in inducing inflammatory changes, the OR (95% CI) = 2.6423 (0.8850 to 7.8887), p = 0.0817, z statistic = 1.741.

The prevalence of High-risk human papillomavirus is relatively low in the AL-Madinah area, Saudi Arabia. Cervical cytological atypia corresponds to the positive HR-HPV findings. HR-HPV infection or cervical cytological atypical changes induce inflammatory cell infiltrates. HR-HPV infection is more common among elderly Saudi women.