title: Cervicovaginal HPV infection in female renal transplant recipients: an observational, self-sampling based, cohort study.
abstract: Immunosuppressive treatment of organ transplant recipients is associated with an increase in the occurrence of human papillomavirus (HPV) related anogenital (pre)malignancies. This cohort study investigated the genotype-specific prevalence of HPV infections in a large cohort of female renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Participants self-collected a cervicovaginal sample for detection and genotyping of HPV. Besides, they completed a questionnaire regarding sociodemographic variables, medical data and sexual behavior. Anogenital screening was offered to all HPV-positive participants. A total number of 218 female RTRs was included. The prevalence of mucosal HPV infections was 27.1% and 17.4% for high risk HPV in particular. The studied cohort showed a broad range of HPV genotypes and multiple HPV genotypes were found in 27.1% of HPV-positive patients. Seven participants were identified with occult premalignant anogenital lesions. In conclusion, this study shows a high point-prevalence of HPV in female RTRs (age-matched West-European general population: 9-10%) with a shift in the distribution of genotypes as compared with the general population. Moreover, a substantial number of patients with occult premalignancies was identified. The introduction of self-sampling for HPV positivity can help in early detection of (pre)malignant anogenital lesions in this vulnerable population.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Dermatology, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: K A P
authors: KA
authors: Meeuwis
authors: L B
authors: LB
authors: Hilbrands
authors: J
authors: J
authors: IntHout
authors: B F M
authors: BF
authors: Slangen
authors: I M P
authors: IM
authors: Hendriks
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Hinten
authors: M H L
authors: MH
authors: Christiaans
authors: W G V
authors: WG
authors: Quint
authors: P C M
authors: PC
authors: van de Kerkhof
authors: L F A G
authors: LF
authors: Massuger
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Hoitsma
authors: M M
authors: MM
authors: van Rossum
authors: W J G
authors: WJ
authors: Melchers
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: de Hullu
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000821:virology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D014621:Vagina / Q000821:virology*
keywords: Cancer/malignancy/neoplasia; clinical research/practice; infection and infectious agents; obstetrics and gynecology; viral: papillomavirus