Predominant HPV Types From Cervical Swabs Determined by Molecular DNA Testing in a Period From 2018-2021 in Bosnia and Herzegovina

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted infection and it is estimated that 75% of all women have been exposed to HPV infection in a certain period of life. High-risk types of HPV are considered to be one of the major causes of cervical cancer and its precursor intraepithelial neoplasia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of HPV infections and to provide more data on HPV genotype distribution among women in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). METHODS: Number of 375 samples were collected from different polyclinics in Sarajevo and were analyzed by Alea Genetic Center using Genomed f-HPV typing™ multiplex Fluorescent PCR kit for human papillomavirus genotyping. DNA required for this method is extracted from cervical swabs and amplified using a multiplex PCR reaction containing a set of 16 fluorescently labeled primers that recognize 16 HPV types. 14 HPV types are classified as high-risk (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68) and two are low-risk (6 and 11) HPV types. RESULTS: Results showed that in the years 2018, 2019, and 2021, HPV type 16 is predominant causing the high-risk factor for CIN1, CIN2, CIN3, and cervical cancer development. HPV 18 infection rates decreased during the last four years of study. HPV 6 infection rates increased during that period of time. CONCLUSION: HPV 16 and HPV 18 are almost completely preventable by vaccination implying that the number of diagnosed cervical cancers in B&H could be much lower in the next decades if the HPV vaccination routine immunization program starts soon.