Importance of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection Detection in Female Renal Transplant Recipients in the First Year after Transplantation

OBJECTIVES: Most of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are “cleared” by the immune system; however, in cases of immune system suppression, infections could lead to development of malignancies. The aim of this study was to find out the frequency of HR-HPV infection in early period after renal transplantation in recipients receiving immunosuppressive therapy and to follow the progression of the infection up to one year. METHODS: 43 female renal transplant recipients and 79 healthy female individuals as a control group were enrolled in this investigation. For the detection of HPV infection, patients' samples (blood and vaginal swabs) were collected two weeks after transplantation with following collection of six months and one year. Different polymerase chain reactions for HR-HPV genomic sequences detection and ELISA kit for detection of anti-HPV IgG antibodies were used. RESULTS: In this study, we show that frequency rate of HR-HPV infection has increased in the first year after transplantation from early stage of immunosuppressive therapy (from 24% to 36%). Also an increase of HR-HPV load was detected over time, showing the highest median viral load at sixth month after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: From the obtained data, it follows that it is very important to carefully monitor patients receiving immunosuppression therapy on progression of HR-HPV.