Prevalence and 3‐year persistence of human papillomavirus serotypes in asymptomatic patients in Northern Mexico

Objective To investigate clinical outcomes and 3‐year persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections among women in Mexico. Methods A prospective study enrolled sexually active women attending primary healthcare clinics in metropolitan Monterrey, Mexico, between June 3 and August 30, 2002. Baseline data were collected and participants underwent HPV screening. Patients with HPV infections were asked to attend a repeat screening appointment after 3 years, when the same screening data were gathered. Descriptive analyses were performed and the prevalence of cervical lesions and viral infections were examined. Results In total, 1188 patients who underwent initial HPV screening were included. Cervical lesions were detected in 5 (0.4%) patients and 239 (20.1%) patients had HPV infections; 129 (54.0%) of these patients attended 3‐year follow‐up. Among the 357 HPV serotypes identified, the most prevalent serotypes were HPV‐59, HPV‐52, HPV‐16, and HPV‐56, detected 62 (17.4%), 38 (10.6%), 27 (7.6%), and 18 (5.0%) times, respectively. Of the 129 patients attending 3‐year follow‐up, 104 (80.6%) were clear from HPV infections, 13 (10.1%) patients had persistent HPV infections, and 12 (9.3%) had HPV infections with different HPV types. Conclusions The HPV prevalence was 20.1% in the present study; the most prevalent infections were HPV‐59, HPV‐52, HPV‐16, and HPV‐56. At 3‐year follow‐up, 25 (19.4%) patients had HPV infections. HPV prevalence in Monterrey, Mexico, was 20.1%; the most prevalent form was HPV‐59. Of patients attending 3‐year follow‐up, 19.4% had continuing HPV infections.