Prevalence of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Types Among Women Screened for Cervical Cancer in Yazd, Iran, and Comparison of Cytology, Histology, and Colposcopy Results

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA virus with more than 100 genotypes, at least 12 of which are high-risk and associated with high-grade cervical lesions. Data on the prevalence of high-risk HPV genotypes among women are not yet available for the total regions of Iran. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of high-risk HPV types among women screened for cervical carcinoma in Yazd and compare the cytology, histology, and colposcopy results. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 402 women referring to gynecology clinics of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran, were selected. The Pap smear and HPV typing were performed on cervical samples. The high-risk HPV types were detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based reverse blot hybridization assay. Colposcopy was carried out on patients with high-risk HPV types, and biopsies were taken for histological examination. Results: Among 402 women screened by HPV-PCR, 32 (7.97%) women were positive for high-risk HPV types. Human papillomavirus 16 and HPV18 were the most frequent genotypes (46.9%). The cytology, histology, and colposcopy results were abnormal in 56.2%, 29.1%, and 71.9% of patients, respectively. Pap smear had 100% sensitivity and 58.3% specificity for the detection of high-grade cervical lesions, while these values for colposcopy were 75% and 87.5%, respectively. Conclusions: The frequency of high-risk HPV types was relatively low among women living in Yazd than in those from other provinces of Iran. A significant percentage of patients with HPV had normal cervical cytology and histology. Therefore, HPV typing is recommended to decrease the development of cervical cancer. Colposcopy had acceptable sensitivity and specificity for the detection of high-grade cervical lesions.