Genotype Distribution of Human Papillomaviruses & HPV E6/E7 mRNA Test for the Detection of High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN2+) Among Gynecology Complaints in Northwest Ethiopia
| dc.contributor.advisor | Abebe, Tamrat (Ass.Prof.) | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Woldeamanuel, Yimtubezinash (Ass.Prof.) | |
| dc.contributor.author | Derbie, Awoke | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-08-13T08:07:28Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-08-13T08:07:28Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2023-07 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Background: In developing nations, cervical cancer (CC) is the main cause of cancer-related fatalities in women due to the absence of well-established vaccination and screening programs. Exploring the best triage test for women with cervical abnormalities is a timely area of research to advance cervical screening and management. Further, the distinct proportional impact of each HR-HPV on the distribution of cervical lesions varies geographically. There is a shortage of data regarding the clinical value of high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPV) E6/E7 mRNA test and their molecular epidemiology in cervical samples from Ethiopia, particularly in the current study area. Moreover, despite the fact that HR-HPV infection is an essential biological cause of CC, other socio-demographic factors are not well studied in the nation. Therefore, this study aimed to fill these data gaps. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the HPV genotype involved in cervical lesions, to evaluate the clinical use of HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA for the early detection of CIN2+, and to explore factors associated with it among gynecology complaints in northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Between March 2019 and October 2021, a cross-sectional study was carried out at Felege Hiwot Compressive Specialized Hospital (FHCSH). Among women who visited the hospital for gynecological examination, those who were eligible for visual inspection (VIA)- based screening were included. Cervical punch samples were obtained by a gynecologist for histological analysis. Cervical swabs collected and analyzed for HR-HPV DNA and HPV E6/E7 mRNA using the Abbott Alinity m system and real-time PCR, respectively at the Institute of Virology, Leipzig University, Germany. Demographic and gynecologic-related history were collected using a structured questionnaire. The distribution and frequency of HR- HPVs described using descriptive statistics. Histology was used as the reference test to determine how well the E6/E7 mRNA detected CIN2+. Results: Of the 355 study participants (aged 30 to 80 years), more than half, 211 (59.4%), were unaware of CC, and their previous cervical screening practice was approximately 25%. Cervical biopsies from 41.8% (140/335; 95% CI: 36.6-47.1%) participants were diagnosed as cancer. The proportion of HR-HPV was 53%(188/355; 95%CI: 47.8-58.1%), with 13 different genotypes identified. HPV16 was predominant at 50.4% (95%CI: 29.4-39.2%), followed by HPV31 (9.7%), HPV33 (8.5%), HPV39 and HPV68 (5.8% each), and HPV18 at 4.7%. The iv E6/E7 mRNA test was positive in 35.8% (127/355; 95%CI: 30.0-40.9) of cases for HPV16, 16 & 45. The proportion of positive HPV DNA test results for these three HR-HPVS was 42% (149/355). The total agreement of DNA and mRNA tests in the detection of these HPVs was at 92.7% (95%CI: 89.5-94.9) with a kappa value of 0.821. HPV16, at 108 (85%), was the most common genotype expressing E6/E7 mRNA. The mRNA assay had sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of 65.2% (95%CI: 57.5-72.2%), 90% (95%CI: 84.6-93.4%), 85.8% (95%CI: 78.5-91.0%), & 73.6% (95%CI: 67.2-79.1%), respectively for detecting histologically confirmed CIN2+. Specifically, the sensitivity and specificity of this assay in the detection of CIN2+ were 92.7% & 47%, respectively among HPV16, 18, & 45 DNA-positive cases. Likewise, the analytical sensitivity and specificity of the HPV-DNA test were 84.8% & 74.1%, respectively. CC increased steadily with participant age, with women older than 50 years about four times more likely to develop CIN2+ (AOR: 3.68 95%CI: 1.75-7.72, p < 0.001). Similarly, no cervical screening in the past five years (AOR: 2.04; 95%CI: 1.04-4004; p = 0.038), infection with HR-HPVs (AOR: 5.28; 95%CI: 2.66-10.47; p < 0.001) and tested positive for E6/E7 mRNA (AOR: 5.78; 95%CI: 2.73-12.24, p < 0.001) were statistically associated with CIN2+. Conclusions: CC is still a significant issue for women's health in northwest Ethiopia that requires evidence-based interventions. The E6/E7 mRNA test and the HPV DNA test demonstrated good agreement and showed better diagnostic relevance in detecting CIN2+. Therefore, the test can be considered for colposcopy and biopsy triage. In particular, the mRNA test may be regarded as a potential triage for women who are HPV-positive , mainly in regions with a shortage of pathologists and colposcopy facilities. Vaccination and future HPV-based screening methods in Ethiopia should consider the important HR-HPV genotypes identified in such studies. To better assess the HPVs circulating in northwestern Ethiopia, community-based surveys should be conducted. Likewise, to optimize the E6/E7 mRNA analytical sensitivity and specificity , large-scale studies targeting major HR-HPVs should be considered. Finally, in accordance with the WHO recommendation women who are eligible for cervical screening need to be screened with a high-precision test, including HPV-based tests. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/6710 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | |
| dc.publisher | Addis Ababa University | |
| dc.subject | Cervical cancer | |
| dc.subject | CIN2+ | |
| dc.subject | HPV E6/E7 mRNA | |
| dc.subject | HR-HPV DNA | |
| dc.subject | northwest Ethiopia | |
| dc.title | Genotype Distribution of Human Papillomaviruses & HPV E6/E7 mRNA Test for the Detection of High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN2+) Among Gynecology Complaints in Northwest Ethiopia | |
| dc.type | Thesis |