Oncogenic and incidental HPV types associated with histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in HIV-positive and HIV-negative South African women : research

Background. In Africa, data on the relationship between oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) types, immune status and cervical preinvasive lesions are lacking. Methods. We investigated low-risk (lrHPV) and high-risk (hrHPV) HPV types in a cohort of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) II/III confirmed on histological examination, in an urban setting with a high prevalence of HIV infection. Results. Of 270 women with confirmed CIN II/III, 45 were HIV-negative and 225 HIV-positive. HIV-infected women had significantly more HPV type infections, including all HPV (p350 cells/µL) or having received HAART for ≥12 months were negatively associated with HPV 18, 33, 45, 51, 52, 59 and 82. Conclusions. In South Africa, burdened by the HIV pandemic, high numbers of high- and low-risk HPV type infections are present in women with cervical preneoplasia. HPV type distribution differs among varying levels of HIV-induced immune depletion.