Prevalence of anal HPV in women with cervical neoplastic and paraneoplastic lesions from Bogotá, Colombia.

The incidence of anal squamous cell carcinoma has increased in the last few decades. Anal cancer has been associated with persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) types. However, only a few data reflect the status of anal HPV infection in women with cervical neoplastic and paraneoplastic lesions. The objective of the present study was to investigate the distribution of HPV genotypes and abnormal anal cytology in sexually active women with cervical disease from Bogota, Colombia. Methods We therefore performed anal cytology for type-specific HPV identification in 134 anal samples of sexually active women from Bogota, Colombia, presenting cervical disease; using a commercial molecular technique (Linear Array®; Roche, Molecular Systems, USA). Results Results of anal cytology were normal in 93.3% of samples, while the remaining 5.2% was classified as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), 0.75% high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia (LGAIN-II/III,) and 0.75% low-grade AIN ( (HGAIN-I). The analysis for viral infection in the 134 anal samples showed HPV in 61.5% of the studied population. In general, higher HPV infection values were seen in more compromised anal lesions. The most prevalent viral genotypes were HPV-16 (27.7%), -6 (25.30%), -58 (15.70%), -18 (9.60%) and -53 (9.60%). Multiple infections were more common than single ones, and HR-HPV genotypes were present in 69.80% of positive samples. Conclusion Updating data concerning the distribution of genotypes that infect the anal mucosa may contribute to the implementation of strategies focused on reducing the rate of anal cancer morbidity and mortality.