The Common Human Papillomavirus Genotypes among Cervical pre-cancerous and cancerous samples in Kermanshah Province (2013)

Introduction: It is important to have data on human papillomavirus (HPV) from different geographical regions of Iran for health policymakers to make decisions on national programs of HPV vaccination. Because no study was found on HPV genotyping in Kermanshah Province, this study appeared necessary. Methods: Fifty-three paraffin-embedded cervical tissue samples were collected. All samples were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or nested-polymerase chain reaction assays with specific primers designed for L1 gene. Positive samples were subjected to sequence and phylogenic tree analysis. Results: Thirty-one out of 53 samples (58.5%) were found to be HPV positive. Prominent HPV genotype was HPV16 followed by HPV6, 31 and 53. Based on the histology of cervicitis, only HPV16 was found both in cervicitis and adenocarcinoma while HPV6 and 16 were found in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I, and HPV6 and 53 were found in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II. HPV16 and 31 were also found in squamous cell carcinoma. Discussion: Findings from this study support a strong correlation of HPV16 as a leading cause of cervical cancer in this region. It appears that HPV vaccines could drastically reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.