title: The prevalence of human papillomavirus and cervical cytology abnormalities in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus in southern Israel.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Concomitant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection increases both HPV persistence and the risk of invasive cervical cancer. An estimation of HPV prevalence among HIV-positive women in Israel would contribute to improving care for this population and preventing morbidity and mortality related to cervical cancer.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of HPV infection and cervical cytology abnormalities, and to assess the possible influence of HIV infection on HPV carriage in HIV-positive women attending the Infectious Disease Clinic at Soroka University Medical Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population included 84 HIV-seropositive women. They were examined by a gynecologist and screened for HPV genotyping, and Pap smears were obtained for cervical cytology. Demographic, behavioral, and HIV infection variables were also recorded and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-nine (58.3%) of the study participants were HPV-positive; 34 of them had oncogenic genotypes. Young age (< 16 years) at first sexual intercourse was the only variable significantly associated with HPV infection (P < 0.05). Abnormal cervical cytology was present in 17 women (20.3%); 21 women were referred to colposcopy, which was abnormal in 9 (10.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of HPV carriage among HIV-positive woman in our study was slightly higher than published elsewhere. The prevalence of pathological cervical cytology was much higher than in the general population. An extremely high prevalence of pathological colposcopies requiring further treatment was found. Screening for HPV and premalignant changes in the uterine cervix is highly recommended in the HIV-seropositive population. We suggest that colposcopy be considered part of the routine workup in HIV-seropositive woman.
authors: Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. lilachmaxleibenson@gmail.com
authors: Lilach
authors: L
authors: Leibenson
authors: Shirty
authors: S
authors: Banani
authors: Avraham
authors: A
authors: Borer
authors: Mihai
authors: M
authors: Meirovitz
authors: Yonat Shemer
authors: YS
authors: Avni
authors: Doron
authors: D
authors: Singer
authors: Francisc
authors: F
authors: Schlaeffer
authors: Max
authors: M
authors: Leibenson
authors: Tali
authors: T
authors: Silberstein
authors: Arnon
authors: A
authors: Wiznitzer
authors: Klaris
authors: K
authors: Riesenberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002353:Carrier State / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D015995:Prevalence; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D055815:Young Adult