title: Detection of human papillomavirus among women in Laos: feasibility of using filter paper card and prevalence of high-risk types.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Persistent infection with high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) is a well-recognized cause of cervical cancer, but little is known about the situation in Laos. The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of HR-HPV among Lao women and to evaluate the use of a filter paper card (FTA Elute Micro Card) for collection of cervical cells in the humid tropical climate.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional study including 1922 women from 3 provinces in Laos. During a gynecological examination, cervical cells were collected and applied to the FTA card followed by HPV typing using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 213 of the 1922 women were positive for HR-HPV (11%). The most common type was the group HPV33/52/58 (3%), followed by the single type 16 (2%) and the group 18/45 (1%), respectively. Only 11 cards (0.6%) did not contain a sufficient amount of genomic DNA for polymerase chain reaction-based analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of HR-HPV infections in Laos is similar to other Asian countries, and 40% of the women with an HR-HPV infection will be target of the present HPV vaccines. The FTA card is suitable for collection of cervical cells for HR-HPV typing in tropical conditions. This information is important for planning and establishing primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer in Laos.
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. keota_63@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Keokedthong
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Phongsavan
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gustavsson
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marions
authors.forename: Alongkone
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Phengsavanh
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wahlström
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gyllensten
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007812:Laos / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010209:Paper; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D010355:Patient Identification Systems; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral