Persistence and clearance patterns of cervical high risk human papillomavirus (Hr-HPV) infections in women with negative cytology results in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Background: Persistent Hr-HPV infection is a prerequisite for cervical carcinogenesis. Knowledge of the persistence or clearance patterns of specific Hr-HPV genotypes can help clinicians to formulate interventions to prevent the development of cervical cancer. Objectives: To determine the persistence and clearance patterns of Hr-HPV infections in Zimbabwean women and to compare the persistence or clearance rates of different Hr-HPV genotypes.Design: Cross sectional descriptive study. Setting: Cimas Medical Laboratories and KAVI molecular laboratory. Subjects: Women with Hr-HPV infections and NILM cytology results on baseline assessment. Materials and Methods: The women were followed up for 24 months and retested for the presence of Hr-HPV DNA. Hr-HPV testing was done using the HPV Genotypes 14 Real-TM Quant test kit. The Hr-HPV persistence rates in women <30 years and those ≥30 years old was compared using an independent t-test. A p-value <0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: A total of 52 women met the study inclusion criteria. The mean (SD) age of the study participants was 33.5 (5.5) years. Persistence and clearance rates were 34.6% [18/52] and 65.4% [34/52] respectively. The Hr-HPV clearance rates of women <30 years and those ≥ 30 years old were comparable (53% [18/34] vs. 47% [16/34], respectively; p=0.642). HPV 16 and 52 were the most persistent genotypes: 53.8% and 37.5% respectively. HPV 35 and 51 had the highest clearance rates of 100%. Conclusion: HPV 16 and HPV 52 were the most persistent Hr-HPV genotypes; and HPV 35 and HPV 51 had the highest clearance rates in Zimbabwean women.