HPV genotype distribution and age correlation in a selected Italian population undergoing conization.

BACKGROUND Detection and genotyping of human papillomavirus (HPV) has gained increasing importance in cervical cancer prevention and treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). This study aims to determine the HPV type distribution in cervical specimens obtained from women diagnosed with CIN. We evaluated in a selected Italian population the distribution of HPV genotypes. METHODS Cervical samples were collected from women undergoing laser CO2 conization for high grade at Colposcopic Laser Surgery Unit of the Careggi University Hospital and at the Colposcopy Service of Local Health Unit Toscana Centro in Florence, Italy, between September 2014 and February 2017. HPV genotyping was performed using the LINEAR ARRAY® HPV Genotyping Test. RESULTS Three hundred and six patients were enrolled. HPV infection was detected on 244 samples (79.7%). A different rate of mono- and poly-infections was observed, with higher poly-infection rates in younger women. Moreover, depending on different age groups (clustered in 5-years interval from 22 to 69 years old) significant different distribution of HPV was fund as genotype, phylogenetic type and cancer-related risk. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that some physiological conditions (i.e. menopause), could influence selection and clearance of specific HPV genotypes. The results of this study represent the basis for supporting the HPV genotyping as clinical tool providing benefits in the management of women with high CIN grade.