Prevalence and genotyping of HPV, by cervical brushing, in Irpinia area of Campania region

Cervical cancer is due to persistent genital infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV).The purpose of this study was to evaluate prevalence of HPV in Irpinia (Campania region, Italy), distribution of different viral genotypes, correlating cytological results and virological investigations. In the period 2006-2011, were made 1080 cervical samples of women aged 18-65 years for HPV identification and genotyping. Detection of the virus was performed by Multiplex-PCR System (Seegene,Arrow) and typing with INNO-LiPA HPV Genotyping Extra test (Innogenetics). Out of the 1080 tested samples, 330 (30.6%) samples were positive for HPV DNA. The most frequently occurring High Risk (HR)-HPV genotype in single infections was HPV16 (16.6%), followed by HPV51 (10.7%), in multiple infections HPV16 (15.7%) and 31 (14.6%). The prevalence of infection, correlated with age of patients studied, is greater in the group aged 26-30 years (42.5%). HR-HPV were detected in different percent in patients with Pap test scores: 22.5% in normal Pap smear (20% HPV16), 14.5% ASCUS (47.6% HPV16), 24% LSIL (20% HPV16), 79.3% HSIL (72.7% HPV16; 9.1% HPV18 detected only in this type of cellular alteration). The high prevalence of HR-HPV in patients with ASCUS or normal Pap test, suggesting the real advantage of HPV screening test, more sensitive in selecting the actual population at risk. Based on the findings of our epidemiological study, HR-HPV screening and HPV genotyping test should be strongly advised also to the vaccinated population for the high incidence of genotypes which are not included in vaccines (67%).