Assessing Gammapapillomavirus infections of mucosal epithelia with two broad-spectrum PCR protocols

HOSNJAK, LEA; RE, FLORENCIA; POLJAK, MARIO; BOLATTI, ELISA M; CASAL, PABLO E; FUJS KOMLOS, KRISTINA; CHOUHY, DIEGO; BOTTAI, HEBE; GIRI ADRIANA A

Barcelona

Conferencia; 33rd International Papillomavirus Conference & Basic Science, Clinical and Public Health Workshops; 2020

International Papillomavirus Society

Introduction: Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been divided into mucosal and cutaneous types according to their primary epithelial tissue tropism. However, recent studies have shown the presence of several cutaneous HPV types in mucosal lesions and healthy mucosa from different anatomical sites.Methods: In the present study the HPV prevalence and type-specific distribution were assessed in a variety of mucosal samples obtained from 435 individuals, using a combination of two established broad-spectrum PCR primer systems: Gamma-PV PCR and CUT PCR, designed and developed by our research group.Results: Overall HPV prevalence in anal canal swabs, genital warts, cervical cancer biopsies and oral swabs was 85%, 62%, 47% and 4%, respectively. In anal canal swab samples, Alpha-PVs were the most frequently detected (59%), followed by Gamma- (37%) and Beta-PVs (4%). The prevalence and persistence of HPV infection in the anal canal of 226 individuals were further explored. Overall HPV, Gamma-PVs and multiple HPV infections were significantly higher in men vs. women (p=0.034, p=0.027 and p=0.003, respectively), multiple HPV infections were more common in individuals ≤ 40 years of age (p=0.05), and significantly higher prevalence of Gamma-PVs and multiple HPV infections was observed in HIV-1-positive vs. HIV-1-negative individuals (p=0.003 and p=0.04, respectively). Out of 21 patients with follow-up anal canal swabs, only one persistent infection with the same HPV type (HPV58) was detected.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Gamma-PVs (except Gamma-6-PVs) are ubiquitous viruses with dual muco-cutaneous tissue tropism. Anal canal Gamma-PV infections may be associated with sexual behavior and the host immune status. This study expands the current knowledge on Gamma-PVs? tissue tropism, providing valuable data on the characteristics of HPV infection in the anal canal and its transmission dynamics.