Is High-Risk HPV Common Among Women in India?

Cervical cancer remains a major public health issue worldwide, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. One of its main causes is the human papillomavirus, better known as HPV. Among the many strains of this virus, some are classified as high-risk because they significantly increase the chances of developing cancer. The most feared are types 16 and 18, but others such as 31, 33, 35, 52, 58, 51, 56, and 66 also play an important role.

A recent study conducted in India analyzed the presence of these dangerous strains in 100 women with various gynecological symptoms. The results show that only 8% of the participants were carriers of high-risk HPV. Among them, type 16 was the most detected, followed by other strains such as 31, 33, 35, 52, 58, 51, 56, and 66. No trace of type 18 was found in this sample.

This study highlights that symptoms such as abnormal bleeding or vaginal discharge do not allow prediction of the virus’s presence. Indeed, some women exhibiting these signs tested negative for HPV. This confirms that systematic screening remains essential, as the virus can silently progress to precancerous lesions and then to cancer.

The method used for these analyses is based on a molecular biology technique called RT-PCR. It allows for the precise detection and identification of viral strains by amplifying their genetic material. This approach is more sensitive than conventional tests and provides better identification of multiple infections, which are common in some patients.

Although the detection rate is relatively low in this study, this does not mean the risk is low. The observed differences can be explained by screening habits, risk profiles, or regional variations. Researchers emphasize that prevention involves vaccination, regular screening, and prompt treatment of lesions.

Cervical cancer can be prevented through a combination of vaccination, screening tests, and early treatments. Modern tools such as RT-PCR improve detection and allow prevention strategies to be tailored according to circulating strains. These advancements are crucial for reducing the impact of this disease, especially in countries where access to healthcare remains limited.

Bibliographie

Source de l’étude

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s43042-026-00857-1

Titre : Molecular identification of 14 oncogenic human papillomavirus DNA genotypes in cervical cancer suspected cases using RT-PCR

Revue : Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics

Éditeur : Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Auteurs : Aarti Agrawal; Shubhangi Mande; Sanjay Guddetwar; Nikhil Solanki; Priya Tiwari; Zarina Shaikh