Comparison of results of HPV infections and dysplastic changes of the uterine cervix in populations in Vojvodina (north region of Serbia) and Republic of North Macedonia

This study assesses human papilloma virus Human (HPV) infection prevalence among women in Vojvodina, Serbia and North Macedonia, considering cytological status and cervix-related pathological changes. The main goal of this study is to compare the HPV status (types of HPV, age of patients, histopathology diagnosis, etc.) in these two populations. The EUROArray HPV test, detecting 30 genotypes, was utilized on 1562 women (740 in Vojvodina and Serbia, 822 in North Macedonia) aged 20 to 80 with various cytological results. 164 of the 576 Serbian/Vojvodina samples that were categorised as negative of intraepithelial lesion or malignacy (NILM) had aberrant histology low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion/high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL/HSIL cervical malignancy). Carcinogenic HPV genotypes were found in 252 (55%) samples, with 76.2% in the LSIL/HSIL/cervical cancer category. Top abnormal histopathology genotypes included HPV 16, 33, 31 and 56, while 18 and 39 were equally verified. Genotype 16 prevalence increased with higher histopathological grades: 18.8% in LSIL, 31.9% in HSIL, and 75% in cervical cancer samples. Among the North Macedonian samples, 221 had aberrant histopathology and 601 displayed NILM. Carcinogenic HPV genotypes were found in 43.4% of cases, with 70.1% in the LSIL/HSIL/cervical cancer category. Predominant genotypes associated with abnormal histopathology results included HPV 16, 31 and 35, with 18 and 52 equally verified. The most frequent genotype associated with higher-grade histopathological findings was genotype16, found in 20.1% of LSIL, 34.3% of HSIL, and 78% of cervical cancer cases. Multiple associated HPV genotypes were not correlated with histopathology. Older patients tended to exhibit higher-grade lesions when comparing histopathological diagnosis and age.

Cervical cancer; HPV genotype; Prevalence

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