Distribution of vaccine-related high-risk human papillomaviruses and their impact on the development of cervical dysplasia in women in Montenegro

Abstract

Cervical cancer (CC) is the third leading cause of death in women in Montenegro. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the causative agent of CC however, HPV genotype distribution varies across regions. This study examined the distribution and impact of vaccine-related high-risk (HR)-HPVs on the development of cervical dysplasia in Montenegrin women. A total of 187 women who had a clinical indication for cervical biopsy were enrolled. Based on histopathological findings, women were classified into 2 groups, with and without dysplasia. HR-HPV was detected by real-time PCR. Twelve HR-HPV genotypes were detected in 40.6% of cervical samples. The 7 most prevalent HR-HPVs in order of decreasing frequency were HPV 16 (39.5%), 45 (23.7%), 31 (21.0%), 33 (17.1%), 18 (6.6%), 52 (6.6%), and 58 (6.6%), all of them are targeted by nonavalent vaccine. Vaccine-related HR-HPVs had a higher prevalence (92.1%) than the other HR-HPVs detected in HR-HPV–positive samples. Among HR-HPV–positive women, HPV 16 and 33 were more common in women with dysplasia than in those without dysplasia (HPV 16: 28.9 vs 7.2%; HPV 33: 11.8 vs 3.6%). HPV 16 was the most common HR-HPV genotype in cervical samples, followed by HPV 45, 31, 33, 18, 52, and 58. HPV 16 and 33 were shown to be associated with the development of cervical dysplasia. These results indicate that prophylactic nonavalent vaccine can potentially prevent approximately 90% of HR-HPV infections and 60% of cervical dysplasia cases in Montenegrin women.

Prevalence and clinical implications of the HPV16 infection in oral cancer in Montenegro – Evidence to support the immunization program

“…The only available data on HR-HPV infection prevalence in Montenegrin population relies on the study conducted among women with suspected cervical dysplasia. In this research, high HR-HPV infection prevalence (40.6%) was shown among examined women, with the genotype 16 being the most prevalent in cases with proven dysplasia (28.9%) [17].…”

“…Results of the previously mentioned research in Montenegro are indicating that prophylactic nonavalent vaccine can potentially prevent approximately 90% of HR- HPV infections and 60% of cervical dysplasia cases in Montenegrin women [17].…”

“…Montenegro is a country with small population and only reliable data existing are on HPV infection prevalence in women with suspected cervical dysplasia [17]. The investigation on prevalence and clinical implications of oral HPV infection in our population has never been done and we believe that the results obtained in this study would be valuable for creating future national strategies for eradication of HPV -related malignancies in Montenegro.…”

Prevalence of Carcinogenic Genotypes of HPV-Infected Women in a Ten-Year Period (2014–2023) in Vojvodina, Serbia

“…In the countries of our region, a higher percentage of HPV infection was recorded in Croatia (59%) [ 19 ], and in the territory of Italy (53%) [ 23 ]. Lopicic et al (2021) found nearly the same HPV infection rate (41%) in examined Montenegrin women [ 24 ]. Ursu et al (2011), in Romanian women, proved the presence of HPV infection in 37% [ 25 ], while more recent data showed a lower prevalence (12%) [ 26 ].…”