HPV: screening and prevalence of genotypes in the lower-Molise

HPV is a double-stranded DNA virus. It is a sexually transmitted virus about 75% of women contact it throughout their lives.Among the 100 classified genotypes about 40 can infect the genital mucosa. Depending on the type of lesion can be identified genotypes with a “low risk” and “high risk”.These are associated with cervical dysplasia and carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Il “Pap smear” is the cytological test that highlights the changes of the cervical cells. L’’HPV-DNA-PCR can detect DNA and determine the infecting viral genotype. It is a susceptible, specific and not invasive. test.Aim of our work was to evaluate a screening program aimed at testing the prevalence of HPV genotypes in the lower-Molise. We have examined 339 samples obtained from cervical swabs of women aged 18-45 years.Was used-Amplicor HPV test (Roche) a qualitative method for detection of 13 high-risk genotypes. Genotype was identified using the Linear Array HPV-Genotyping (Roche) method. Among 339 women tested, 292 (86%) were negative, 47 (14%) positive. It has been performed genotyping on 47 positiv samples. 16 and 18 were the prevalent genotypes (average 8%).There was a lower prevalence between 3% and 2% among the other genotypes. These results allow us to draw some considerations while taking into account the limited number of samples.The frequency of positive HPVDNA test it is very high.The HPV-DNA testing is a valuable aid in diagnosis by HPV alongside the Pap Test. The prevalence of genotypes found in the Low-Molise is consistent with data reported in literature.The genotypes 16 and 18 have a higher frequency, taking into account that these genotypes are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer, the determination may be a useful aid in the diagnosis and prevention.