Prevalence of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Types AmongWomen Screened for Cervical Cancer in Yazd, Iran, and Comparison of Cytology, Histology, and Colposcopy Results

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA virus with more than 100 genotypes, at least 12 of which are high-risk and associated with high-grade cervical lesions. Data on the prevalence of high-risk HPV genotypes among women are not yet available for the total regions of Iran. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of high-risk HPV types among women screened for cervical carci-noma in Yazd and compare the cytology, histology, and colposcopy results. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 402 women referring to gynecology clinics of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sci-ences, Yazd, Iran, were selected. The Pap smear and HPV typing were performed on cervical samples. The high-risk HPV types were detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based reverse blot hybridization assay. Colposcopy was carried out on patients with high-risk HPV types, and biopsies were taken for histological examination. Results: Among 402 women screened by HPV-PCR, 32 (7.97%) women were positive for high-risk HPV types. Human papillomavirus 16 and HPV18 were the most frequent genotypes (46.9%). The cytology, histology, and colposcopy results were abnormal in 56.2%, 29.1%, and 71.9% of patients, respectively. Pap smear had 100% sensitivity and 58.3% specificity for the detection of high-grade cervical lesions, while these values for colposcopy were 75% and 87.5%, respectively. Conclusions: The frequency of high-risk HPV types was relatively low among women living in Yazd than in those from other provinces of Iran. A significant percentage of patients with HPV had normal cervical cytology and histology. Therefore, HPV typ-ing is recommended to decrease the development of cervical cancer. Colposcopy had acceptable sensitivity and specificity for the detection of high-grade cervical lesions.