Human Papillomavirus infection and cervical lesions in HIV infected women on antiretroviral treatment in Thailand

•The prevalence of HPV52 was 5%, HPV39 3%, HPV51 3%, HPV16 3%, and HPV18 1%.•The prevalence of HR-HPV infection was 19%.•The prevalence of HSIL+/CIN2+ lesions was 3%.•Younger age, low CD4 count ands low education were associated with HR-HPV infection.•The risk of HSIL+/CIN2+ lesions was 9 times higher in women with HR-HPV infection.

SummaryObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence and factors associated with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, HPV genotypes and cytological/histological high-grade (HSIL+/CIN2+) lesions.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study within a prospective cohort of HIV-infected women on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Cervical specimens were collected for cytology and HPV genotyping (Papillocheck®). Any women with High-Risk-HPV (HR-HPV), and/or potentially HR-HPV (pHR-HPV) and/or ASC-US or higher (ASC-US+) lesions were referred for colposcopy. Factors associated with HR-HPV infection and with HSIL+/CIN2+ lesions were investigated using mixed-effects logistic regression models.Results829 women were enrolled: median age 40.4 years, on cART for a median of 6.9 years, median CD4 cell-count 536 cells/mm3, and 788 (96%) with HIV-viral load<50copies/mL. Of 214 (26%) infected with HPV: 159 (19%) had ≥1 HR-HPV, of whom 38 (5%) HPV52, 22 (3%) HPV16, 9 (1%) HPV18; 21 (3%) had pHR-HPV, 34 (4%) low risk-HPV infection, and 56 (26%) had multiple genotypes. Younger age, low CD4 cell-counts and low education were independently associated with HR-HPV infection. 72 women (9%) had ASC-US+ and 28 (3%) HSIL+/CIN2+ lesions. HR-HPV infection was independently associated with HSIL+/CIN2+ lesions.ConclusionThe prevalence of HPV infection and of cervical lesions was low. The HPV genotype distribution supports the use of 9-valent vaccine in Thailand.

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