Genotypic distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cytology findings in 5906 Thai women undergoing cervical cancer screening programs.
BACKGROUND
Cervical cancer is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in Thai women. Nevertheless, the preventive strategy such as HPV vaccination program has not been implemented at the national level. This study explored the HPV prevalence and genotypic distribution in a large cohort of Thai women.


METHODS
A hospital-based cervical cancer screening program at Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok and a population-based screening program at a rural Pathum Thani Province were conducted using liquid-based cytology and HPV genotyping.


RESULTS
Of 5906 women aged 20-70 years, Pap smear was abnormal in 4.9% and the overall HPV prevalence was 15.1%, with 6.4% high-risk (HR), 3.5% probable high-risk (PR), and 8.4% low-risk (LR) HPV. The prevalence and genotypic distribution were not significantly different between the two cohorts. Among HR-HPV genotypes, HPV52 was the most frequent (1.6%), followed by HPV16 (1.4%), HPV51 (0.9%), HPV58 (0.8%), HPV18 (0.6%), and HPV39 (0.6%). Among LR-HPV genotypes, HPV72 and HPV62 were the most frequent while HPV6 and HPV11 were rare. HPV infection was found to be proportionately high in young women, aged 20-30 years (25%) and decreasing with age (11% in women aged >50). The more severe abnormal cytology results, the higher positivity of HR-HPV infection was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, HPV52, HPV16, and HPV51 were identified as the most common HR-HPV genotypes in Thai women. This study contributes genotypic evidence that should be essential for the development of appropriate HPV vaccination program as part of Thailand's cervical cancer prevention strategies.
Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand ; Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Chulabhorn Hospital, 54 Kamphaengphet 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok, 10210 Thailand.
Nuttavut
N
Kantathavorn
Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand ; Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand ; Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chulabhorn
C
Mahidol
Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
Narongrit
N
Sritana
Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
Thaniya
T
Sricharunrat
Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand ; Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Chulabhorn Hospital, 54 Kamphaengphet 6 Road, Laksi, Bangkok, 10210 Thailand.
Natacha
N
Phoolcharoen
Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand ; Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chirayu
C
Auewarakul
Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
Narongchai
N
Teerayathanakul
Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chantanee
C
Taepisitpong
Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
Siriporn
S
Saeloo
Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
Gaidganok
G
Sornsamdang
Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
Wandee
W
Udomchaiprasertkul
Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
Waraphorn
W
Krongthong
Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
Arpaporn
A
Arnamwong
Cancer screening; Cervical cancer; Cervical cytology; HPV genotypes; Thailand