Detection and Genotyping of Human Papillomavirus among HIV-Infected Women from Belagavi: A District Place from the Southwest Indian State of Karnataka

Background and Aim: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the established cause of cervical cancer. There is sparse literature with regard to HPV infection from the southern Belagavi region of India. This study was aimed to detect the HPV genotype distribution, the associated risk factors, and relation with cervical precancerous lesions among HIV-infected women from Belagavi, India. Materials and Methods: In this prospective observational study, a total of 214 HIV-infected women aged 18–45 years were recruited. Cervical samples were subjected to the Roche Linear Array assay for HPV detection and genotyping. Cervical status was determined by composite assessment of cytology, colposcopy, and histology. Data were analyzed using Software R version 3.6.0. Results: Of the 197/214 women with the adequate cervical sample, 86 (43.6%) were HPV positive, and 111 (56.3%) were HPV negative cases. A total of 132 (69.1%) women had normal cervical status, 26 (13.6%) had CIN1 lesions, 1 (0.5%) had CIN2 lesions, and 12 (6.3%) had CIN3 lesions. Single HPV infection was detected in 47 (54.6%) women and multiple (≥2) HPV genotypes were detected in 39 (45.3%). The HPV genotypes detected in descending order of frequency were HPV 16, HPV 33, HPV 35, HPV 52, and HPV 58. Ever pregnant (parous) women were 4.47 more likely to have HPV infection. Conclusion: A high prevalence of HPV infection, with a wide diversity of HPV genotypes and a greater prevalence of HPV 16 among HIV-positive women from Belagavi, India, was observed. Parity was the independent factor associated with HPV detection.