Human Papillomavirus Genotype Distribution in Women with Minor Cervical Cytological Abnormalities

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Iranian women, following breast cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main risk factor for cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to describe HPV genotypes in women with minor cervical cytological abnormalities. Methods: This retrospective study involved 160 Iranian women: 80 women with minor cervical cytological abnormalities (WMCA) and 80 women with normal cervical cytology (WNC) who underwent cervical cancer screening, including HPV testing and Papanicolaou (Pap) smear, from November 2020 to January 2023. Demographic information of the participants was recorded via a questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22. Results: The mean age of participants in both groups, WMCA and WNC, was 33.9 ± 9.1 years. The WMCA group included 59 women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and 21 women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL). The HPV DNA was identified in 71.3% of the WMCA group (ASCUS and LSIL) and 40% of the WNC group. Overall, 55.6% of all participants were HPV positive. The most prevalent HPV genotypes in the WMCA group (ASCUS and LSIL) were HPV6, HPV39, HPV16, HPV35, and HPV56. In contrast, the most prevalent HPV genotypes in the WNC group were HPV6, HPV52, and HPV53. Conclusions: According to the detection of high-risk HPV genotypes in both WMCA and WNC groups in the current study, it seems that the HPV test should be conducted alongside the Pap test for cervical cancer screening.