Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Genotypes in Tehran, Iran

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a major cause of cervical cancer worldwide. Knowledge of the geographical distribution and epidemiology of the most common HPV genotypes is a crucial step in developing prevention strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate HPV genotype distribution among HPV-positive women and men in Tehran, Iran. Study Design: A case series study. Methods: The study was performed on ۲۱۹ HPV-positive individuals (۱۶۰ females and ۵۹ males) from Tehran, Iran. Samples were obtained from the cervix and vagina of female subjects and the genital warts of male subjects. DNA was extracted from samples, and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-reverse dot blot genotyping chip was used to examine HPV genotypes. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples of ۵۱ patients from the study population were also included in this study. Results: The proportion of high-risk (HR)-HPV was ۶۷.۱۲%. The most common HR-HPV types were HR-HPV۱۶ (۱۷.۴%), HR-HPV۶۸ (۱۱.۴%), and HR-HPV۵۱ (۷.۸%). The most common low-risk (LR)-HPV types included LR-HPV۶ (۳۱.۱%), LR-HPV۸۱ (۱۱.۹%), and LR-HPV۶۲ (۱۱.۴%). The highest prevalence of HPV was in the age group of > ۳۰ years (۴۲.۹%). Co-infection with multiple HR-HPV types was observed in ۲۲.۴% of specimens. Moreover, HR-HPV was found in ۵۰% of women with normal cytology, ۱۰۰% with a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and ۸۴.۶۱% with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. Conclusion: The results indicated the remarkable growth of HR-HPV۶۸, which has rarely been reported in Iran. The findings add knowledge to HPV epidemiological investigation and emphasize the need for introducing educational programs in high schools and appropriate vaccination in Iran.

Keywords:

Co-infection , Genotype , Human papillomavirus