Aptima HPV Genotypes in Abnormal Cervical Samples in Different Age Groups - Implication on Vaccination Strategies

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Oncology
• Virology
• Public Health

Background:

• Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) is a primary cause of high-grade cervical abnormalities.
• Understanding the prevalent hr-HPV types in abnormal cervical samples is crucial for effective screening and vaccination strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the most common hr-HPV types responsible for persistent infections in abnormal cervical cytological samples.
• To evaluate the compatibility of the Gardasil 9 vaccine in targeting the identified prevalent hr-HPV types.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective observational study analyzing 2834 abnormal cervical samples over a 6-year period.
• Utilized Aptima HPV testing for hr-HPV detection in conjunction with cytology reports.
• Employed the Pearson Chi-square test for statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• Aptima HPV testing was positive in 21% of abnormal samples, with varying positivity rates across cytological grades (SCC 92%, HSIL 76.4%, LSIL 52%, ADC 40%, ASC-H 21%).
• The most frequently detected hr-HPV types were the 'Aptima other hr-HPV' group (60%), HPV16 (26%), and HPV18/45 (9.6%).
• HPV16 was the predominant type in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL+) and infections were most common in the 30-49 age groups, with a shift to older age groups (50+) in HSIL+ cases.

Conclusions:

• This study provides novel insights into the correlation between age, hr-HPV prevalence, and cytology findings in the Middle East.
• The findings establish a baseline for the Gardasil 9 vaccine and will aid in assessing its long-term effectiveness.
• Aptima HPV testing is effective in detecting hr-HPV in abnormal cervical samples.