The interrelation of HIV, cervical human papillomavirus, and neoplasia among antenatal clinic attenders in Tanzania

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and interrelation of cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes, squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL), HI V, and other reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among urban antenatal cli nic attenders in Mwanza, Tanzania. Methods: Genital swabs were collected from 660 pregnant women and tested fo r a range of RTIs and for cervical cytology. Cervical HPV-DNA was detected by PCR and genotyped. HIV and syphilis serologies were performed. Results: HPV prevalence was 34% (209/612 women). Of the 144 typeable sample s, 83% were high risk (HR-HPV) oncogenic strains (56% HPV 16 related types) . SIL was detected in 43 women (7%), with high grade SIL in 3%. There was a high prevalence of HIV (15%), and of any RTI (83%). Genital warts were det ected in 20 women (3%). HPV infection was associated with some behavioural factors (short duration of relationship, single status, not using condoms) and gonorrhoea. There was no overall association between HPV and HIV (OR=1. 02, 95% CI 0.6-1.6), but a non-significant trend towards a stronger associa tion with HR-HPV in women aged 15-19 (OR=2.79,95% CI 0.8-9.5) and women age d greater than or equal to 30 (OR=3.20,95% CI 0.7-15). SIL was associated w ith HPV (OR=3.66,95% CI 1.9-7.0), but not significantly with HIV (OR=1.54, 95% Cl 0.7-3.4). Prevalence of SIL was higher among women dually positive f or HPV/HIV compared to HPV infection only (21 % v 12%), although this diffe rence was not statistically significant (p=0.17). Conclusions: HPV infection was highly prevalent in this young antenatal pop ulation. The association of HIV with HR-HPV types in older women may sugges t that the principal HIV/HPV interaction in this population is for HIV to u pregulate HPV persistence, leading to subsequent development of SIL.