Human papillomavirus (HPV 16, 18 & 45) co-infection and patho-demographic determinants of cervical carcinoma in north Karnataka

• Author Details:   
• H Ashwini
• Praveen R Shahapur ^*
• Ashalata A Mallapur
• Anand Bhimaray Janagon
• Suresh Ullagaddi
• R Manjula

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Background: Cervical cancer continues to be a major contributor to cancer-related mortality among women, especially in low- and middle-income nations. A persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is widely recognized as the primary cause of cervical malignancy. Given that HPV genotype distribution differs across geographic regions, it is crucial to study these variations at the local level to design effective prevention and control strategies. This research focuses on evaluating the pattern of HPV genotypes in women diagnosed with cervical cancer in North Karnataka, aiming to provide region-specific insights into the prevalence of oncogenic HPV types.

Materials and Methods: Cervical tissue biopsies were obtained from women diagnosed with cervical cancer, confirmed through histopathological examination. Genomic DNA was extracted from the samples, and the presence of HPV was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genotyping was then carried out to identify specific HPV types. The association between variables were analysed using SPSS software (version 19).

Results: HPV-16 and HPV-18 were the high-risk genotypes detected in all the cervical cancer cases analysed. A smaller proportion of cases also showed the presence of HPV-45 in addition. These results reinforce the strong association between high-risk HPV infections and the occurrence of cervical carcinoma in the studied population.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of HPV-16 and HPV-18 among cervical cancer patients in this study underscores the need for HPV vaccination and screening efforts in this area. These insights can contribute to strengthening public health strategies in North Karnataka by promoting targeted prevention measures and enhancing early detection to reduce the impact of cervical cancer in the region.

Keywords: Human papillomavirus (HPV), Cervical carcinoma, Genotype, DNA, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR).