RESUMO
Introduction and aims: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause cervical cancer. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HPV infection, the prevalent HPV genotypes in women and men with recurrent genital infections, and the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the HPV prevention program. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Duhok city, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, between January 2018 and September 2020. We recruited patients from an infectious disease clinic, who were married, were older than 18 years, and agreed to participate in this study. A reverse hybridisation-based assay was used to identify the HPV genotypes prevalent in these patients. Results: Among the patients in the study, 20.9% (67/320) tested positive for HPV infection. The HPV prevalence in females was 18.8% (52/276), which was lower than that in males (34.1%,15/44) (p = 0.21). Thirty-six patients (11.3%) were infected with a single HPV genotype, seventeen (5.3%) with two HPV genotypes, eight (2.5%) with three HPV genotypes, and the remaining six (1.8%) with four or more HPV genotypes. The most common genotypes detected among the patients were HPV-6 (7.2%), -11 (3.8%), and -16 (3.4%). The prevalence of all HPV genotype infections was highest and lowest in the 18-25- and 36-45-year age groups, respectively (X 2 = 8.24; p = 0.041). The number of referred patients substantially reduced from 12 patients per month to 1 patient per month during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: HPV infection was common in the study population. The most common genotypes were HPV 6, 11, and 16, against which vaccines are available. Further population-based studies are needed to investigate the prevalence of such an infection.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a public health threat worldwide. The World Health Organization aims to eliminate HCV. However, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a severe compromise in health services, and this has halted efforts to eliminate HCV. Herein, we report our experience with the initiative of HCV elimination in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, with a focus on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the HCV elimination plan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anti-HCV antibody test was used to screen subjects. All positive results were then confirmed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing. All patients with current HCV infection were treated with direct-acting antiviral regimens. RESULTS: During the study period, 459,015 subjects were tested for anti-HCV antibody positivity, with a monthly average of 9,562 tests for HCV. This number dropped to zero during the lockdown period between 1March and 31May 2020. Among the tested samples, 0.29% (1350/459015) tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies. RT-PCR testing of all positive samples revealed that 0.020% (93/459015) were positive. Of the 93 recruited subjects, 3 patients did not complete the treatment course due to the lockdown. All patients who finished the treatment course were cured as determined by sustained virologic response 12 (SVR12) weeks after finishing the treatment course. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, reductions in health facility utilisation led to a significant decrease in services offered for HCV screening and treatment. Such a decrease in services has had a negative impact on HCV elimination. An urgent plan is needed to resume the services, and strict follow-up is needed for patients whose treatment was interrupted.
