High risk human papillomavirus prevalence and genotype distribution in Reunion Island.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and genotypes of human papilloma virus (HPV) in Reunion Island. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective study, data were collected from the database of microbiology and anatomopathology laboratories from August 1st 2020 to July 31st 2021. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in Reunion Island was 14.5 %. The most common HPV genotypes in Reunion Island, were as follows cluster of HPV 56 + 59 + 66, representing 3.3 % of all samples, cluster of HPV 35 + 39 + 68 (3.2 %), HPV 16 (2.9 %), HPV 33 + 58 (2.3 %) and HPV 52 (2.2 %). HPV types contained in the vaccine accounted for 59.3 % of HPV-positive samples and significantly resulted in more severe cytological lesions compared to HPV types that were not included in the vaccine (p < 0.01). Cervical dysplasia were identified in 57.3 % of HPV-positive cases. Multiple infections were detected in 23.2 % of the cases and were more frequent among younger women (<30 years) and in pathological smears (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, we highlighted that HPV genotypes contained in the vaccine are the most represented in Réunion Island and are the most likely to generate significant cytological abnormalities. Therefore, continuous efforts are necessary to increase HPV vaccination coverage, which is currently in the island among the lowest in developed countries, despite the high mortality rate associated with cervical cancer. Furthermore, considering the inequal offensive capacity of each HPV, identifying patients' HPV infection subtype, could allow customized management and follow-up.