Cervical HPV 18 detection is associated with high-grade cervical dysplasia in Kenyan and Ugandan women living with HIV.

OBJECTIVES

Cervical cancer, caused by "high-risk" (HR) HPV, is the most common malignancy and the leading cause of cancer deaths among women living in Kenya and Uganda. Women living with HIV (WLWH) are at a high risk for HR-HPV infection. This longitudinal, observational cohort analysis was conducted to identify factors that are important among WLWH in prediction of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 or 3 (CIN2/3).

METHODS

Data of this analysis was based on a study of HPV natural history and cervical cancer among Kenyan and Ugandan WLWH. Demographic, behavioral and biological data were collected; HR-HPV DNA testing of cervical swabs was performed (Roche Cobas Assay); all WLWH underwent cervical biopsy on two occasions.

RESULTS

Of 114 WLWH enrolled, the median age was 38.2 years. All WLWH were receiving ART during the study. CIN2/3 was found in 13 (11.4 %) WLWH; HPV 16 was detected in 10 (8.8 %); HPV 18 in 11 (9.6 %), and Non-16/18 HR-HPV in 62 (54.4 %). Aflatoxin exposure was not associated with CIN2/3 in this analysis. A multivariable logistic regression found that cervical detection of HPV 18 was significantly associated with CIN2/3 (OR = 6.36, 95 % CI = 1.36-29.75, p = 0.019), after adjusting for the effects of HIV viral load, CD4 counts, and Non-16/18 HR-HPV detection.

CONCLUSIONS

CIN2/3 was detected in 11.4% of WLWH; HPV 18 detection in cervical swabs was strongly associated with CIN2/3. Larger studies among WLWH are needed to determine optimal approaches for screening and treatment to prevent cervical cancer.