Molecular Epidemiology and Genotype Distribution of Human Papillomavirus Among Arab Women in State of Qatar

Abstract

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) are the most commonly known sexually transmitted agents. To date, few reports are available on distribution of most prevalent and variants types of HPV in Arab women. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the age specific distribution of HPV types among Arab women being subjected to routine Pap smear test in State of Qatar. Methods: Total 3008 pap smears have been collected in ThinPrep vials fromt he Arab women seeking routine gynecological care visiting Women's Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in Qatar. Viral DNA from ThinPrep samples was extracted and was screened for HPV DNA by real-time PCR using L1 HPV specific (GP5+/6+) primers. The types specific distribution of the viruses was determined by HPV high and low risk typing RT-PCR kits and PCR-based sequencing (Genewiz, Inc, USA). Results: Based on the collected data, HPV DNA was detected in 182 women (6%), and 17 different HPV genotypes were detected, comprising high-risk, intermediate and low-risk genotypes. The prevalence of HPV infection was seen in 6.2% Qatari and 5.9% non-Qatari women. With regard to age, 5.1% HPV infection were found in women 16-24 years of age, 5.8% in women 25-34 years of age, 5.5% in women 35-44 years of age, 6.5% in women 45-54 years and 7.2% in women more than 55 years old. Conclusion: At the end, our study showed a relatively low prevalence (6%) of HPV infection and presence of a varied genotypic profile of HPV with a high prevalence of low risk HPV genotype 81 among the Arab women residing in State of Qatar when compared to the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries.