The distribution of hrHPV genotypes among cervical cancer cases diagnosed across Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background The burden of cervical cancer in Ghana is high due to a lack of a national screening and vaccination program. Geographical variations in high-risk Human Papilloma Virus incidence and type should be considered for vaccine improvement and screening in LMICs. Methods A descriptive, multi-center cross-sectional study with purposive sampling of cases with cervical cancer diagnosed from January 2012 through to December 2018 was employed relying on archived Formalin Fixed Paraf‑ fn Embedded (FFPE) tissues from four (4) Teaching Hospitals. Cervical cancers were assessed for histopathological features following WHO guidelines. In addition, the novel Tumour Budding and Nest Size Grade (TBNS) for SCC, SILVA pattern of invasion for EAC and Tumour Infltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) were assessed. High Risk HPV testing was performed using an isothermal, multiplex nucleic acid amplifcation method from ATILA biosystem (Mountain View California, USA). The FFPE blocks were tested for 15 hrHPV genotypes. Results were analyzed using SPSS v.26.0, with descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation and chi-square tests done with signifcance established at p<0.05. Results A total of 297 cases were identifed for the study with ages ranging from 20 to 95 years. The peak age group for cervical cancer was 46 to 55 years. For those tested, hrHPV positivity rate was 85.4% [EAC (84.6%) and SCC (85.6%)]. The top fve hrHPV serotypes for both histological cancers were 59 (40.0%), 35 (32.0%), 18 (30.0%), 16 (15.0%), and 33 (10.0%) respectively. Approximately, 58.2% of infections were multiple. Single hrHPV infections were mostly caused by hrHPV 59 (28.9%), and 16 (26.3%). TBNS grade for SCC, SILVA pattern of invasion for EAC and TILs did not show any statistically signifcant relationship with hrHPV. Conclusion We afrm reported diferences in hrHPV types associated with cervical cancer in Ghana with hrHPV types such as 59, 35, and 33 forming a signifcant proportion of hrHPV types associated with cervical cancer. This difer‑ ence in hrHPV types should guide vaccine improvement and triaging of hrHPV positives. Though multiple infections are more common, some hrHPV types such as hrHPV 16 and 59 are responsible for most single infections associated with cervical cancer. Simple haematoxylin and eosin-based morphological assessments can improve the prognostica‑ tion of patients with cervical cancer.