RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to discover the most prevalent high-risk (hr) HPV genotypes in the regions of Loreto and La Libertad, Peru. METHODS: In 2015, cervical cell samples were collected during pelvic examinations from women in the geographically distinct regions of Loreto and La Libertad, Peru. In 2017, additional samples were collected in La Libertad. A total of 429 women between the ages of 18 and 65 years living in these regions were enrolled in the study. All samples were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for the hrHPV genotypes 16, 18, and 35. RESULTS: Sample collection from 126 women in 2015 in Loreto revealed an hrHPV incidence of 15.9% (20 of 126), with 60% (12 of 126) of HPV infections due to hrHPV 16. Samples from La Libertad revealed an hrHPV incidence of 14.5% incidence (44 of 303) (among 303 women). Of these infections, 38% (17) were attributable to hrHPV type 35 and 20% (9) were due to hrHPV type 16. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hrHPV genotypes in Peru may differ from those observed in North America and Europe. Loreto appears to follow the prevalence trend observed in North America, with hrHPV type 16 accounting for the majority of cases. However, hrHPV type 35 may account for a greater contribution to the cervical cancer burden in La Libertad. Further research, specifically on cervical tumor specimens, is needed.
