DYNAMICS OF HPV GENOTYPES AND THE RESULTS FOUND IN CYTOLOGICAL LESIONS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Virology
• Public Health

Background:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection.
• Cervical cytological abnormalities range from low-grade to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions.
• Early detection and prevention of HPV-related lesions are crucial for women's health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of various human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes.
• To investigate the association between HPV genotypes and cytological lesion grades.
• To assess HPV prevalence in female students at the National University of Chimborazo's Faculty of Health Sciences.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective study design.
• Conventional cytology analysis and HPV genotyping performed on 30 student samples.
• Statistical analysis of cytological data and HPV genotype prevalence using SPSS 26.

Main Results:

• 24.2% of students exhibited cytological lesions, including ASC-US (13.7%), L-SIL (8.1%), H-SIL (1.6%), and ASC-H (0.8%).
• High prevalence of HPV detected, with HPV 18 and 33 being the most common high-risk genotypes.
• HPV 43 and 42 identified as the most frequent low-risk genotypes.

Conclusions:

• A significant correlation exists between high-risk HPV genotypes and the presence of severe cytological lesions.
• The study highlights the substantial prevalence of HPV in this young female population.
• Findings emphasize the necessity for HPV prevention and early intervention programs in high-risk groups.