HPV16 variant analysis in primary and recurrent CIN2/3 lesions demonstrates presence of the same consensus variant

Introduction

Recurrent cervical intraepithelial lesions (rCIN2/3) after treatment of CIN2/3 occur in 5–15% of cases. rCIN2/3 can result from incomplete resection of CIN2/3, where the same HPV type and variant remains present. rCIN2/3 could also occur following a new infection with a different HPV variant of the same HPV type as the initial lesion. This study investigates HPV16 consensus variants in paired HPV16 positive scrapes from baseline CIN2/3 and rCIN2/3 lesions.

Methods

Paired HPV16 positive cervical scrapes of women with CIN2/3 at baseline and rCIN2/3 6 or 12 months after treatment were selected for whole-genome amplification and Illumina sequencing. Sequences were compared and nucleotide changes over time were characterized.

Results

From 14 paired samples, 10 had identical consensus variants in baseline CIN2/3 and rCIN2/3. Four paired samples showed one to three nucleotide variations at recurrent disease compared to baseline.

Conclusion

Identical or nearly identical HPV16 consensus variants were found in scrapes of paired HPV16 positive baseline CIN2/3 and rCIN2/3 lesions after treatment, suggesting no need for HPV variant analysis when the same HPV type is found in both lesions. These results argue for either incomplete excision of baseline CIN2/3 or inability of clearance of the original HPV infection.