Prevalence of Human Papilloma Virus DNA in HIV Positive Women in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: HIV-infected women have a high prevalence of Human Papilloma virus (HPV) infection and are more likely to be infected with high risk genotypes with the potential of progressing to cervical cancer. There is paucity of data regarding the prevalence of sexually transmitted HPV infection among HIV positive women in Nigeria. Aims: The objective of this cross-sectional prospective study was to determine the prevalence of high risk HPV among HIV positive and negative women in LUTH, Lagos, Nigeria and to relate HPV genotypes in the study population to commercially available HPV vaccine types that would be or not be appropriate for implementation of vaccination programs in Lagos State. Place and Duration of Study: AIDS Prevention Initiative In Nigeria (APIN) clinic as well as the Gynecologic outpatient clinic of LUTH, Lagos between August 2011 and August 2012. Methodology: A combination of PCR and flow through hybridization method was used in the genotyping of HPV from samples obtained from 98 HIV positive and 97 HIV negative women. Data was analyzed using Epi info 3.5.6. Non parametric variables were compared with chi-square or Fisher exact test as appropriate. The differences in mean for parametric variables were compared using student T test. P value <0.05 were considered significant. Results: The prevalence of HPV among HIV positive women was 44.9% while the prevalence of high risk types was 37.5%. The commonest high risk types seen were types 31, 52, 53 and 35. The prevalence of HPV among the HIV negative women was 11%. The commonest high risk types seen were types 18, 16, 52 and 56. Conclusion: In view of the high prevalence and diversity of HPV genotypes among the HIV positive women, adequate screening protocols should be put in place for screening this category of women. Studies should also be carried out to determine the efficacy of existent HPV vaccines on this group of patients.