Association of human papillomavirus and bacterial vaginosis with increased risk of high-grade squamous intraepithelial cervical lesions

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the rates of co-infections between human papillomavirus (HPV) and 13 key markers of bacterial vaginosis in cervical samples by multiplex polymerase chain reaction in a population with a high rate of abnormal cytology and a positive HPV test.MethodsThe study included a total of 213 women aged 18–72 years screened using Papanicolaou smears for determining cervical abnormalities and for HPV and bacterial vaginosis by single-target and multiplex polymerase chain reaction.ResultsA total of 83 (39%) women were negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy cytology and 130 (61%) had abnormal cytology. HPV-DNA prevalence was 69.9% and bacterial vaginosis was 72.7 %. Co-infections between bacterial vaginosis with HPV-DNA and high-risk HPV were associated with an increased risk for squamous intraepithelial lesions of low-grade cytology and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions plus cervical cancer. The most frequent bacterial vaginosis agent was Gardnerella vaginalis (33.8%), and co-infection with HPV-DNA and high-risk HPV increased the risk for squamous intraepithelial lesions of low grade cytology and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions plus cervical cancer. Co-infection between Megasphaera type I and high-risk HPV increased the risk for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions plus cervical cancer.ConclusionsOur results reinforce the hypothesis that some bacterial vaginosis agents may play a role as co-factors in HPV-mediated cervical carcinogenesis, at least in some populations.

Cervicovaginal microbiome and natural history of HPV in a longitudinal study

“…In summary, through the use of longitudinal samples from the CVT cohort we investigated and identified key features of the cervicovaginal microbiome potentially associated with progression of HR-HPV infection [28, [53][54][55][56] (e.g., Gardnerella and subsequent increase vaginal microbial diversity). Additional studies are required to validate the model proposed in this report.…”

High molecular prevalence of HPV and other sexually transmitted infections in a population of asymptomatic women who work or study at a Brazilian university

“…Cofactors associated with the individual’s behaviours include the age at the first intercourse, multiple sexual partners, host genetic variability, and use of tobacco and oral contraceptives 7 - 9 . Furthermore, coinfection with bacterial vaginosis 10 and other STIs may be associated with increased risk of high-grade squamous intraepithelial cervical lesions (HSIL) and squamous cervical cancer (SCC) 11 , 12 .…”

LC/MS-Based Polar Metabolite Profiling Identified Unique Biomarker Signatures for Cervical Cancer and Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Using Global and Targeted Metabolomics

“…Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1–3 and carcinoma in situ are the precursor lesions of cervical cancer [3]. Other factors such as sexually transmitted infections, oral contraceptive use, smoking status, parity, and diet also contribute to the development of cervical cancer [4]. Patients diagnosed with cervical cancer often show no obvious signs or symptoms at early stages, which fact can lead to misdiagnosis.…”