Comparison of HPV DNA results and serum HPV igg levels in gynecology patients

HPV is one of the most common STDs in the world and is the major etiological agent of cervical cancer. This study aimed to determine and compare the prevalence of HPV infection and serum HPV IgG responses in sexually active women in our region. HPVDNA was investigated using real-time PCR in 401 female patients aged 18-65 who applied to the Gynecology and Obstetrics clinic in Manisa and had cervical smear samples taken, and high-risk HPVDNA was found to be positive in 11.2%. The most common HPV type was 66.6% other hr-HPV, while HPV16 and 18 were detected at 16.6%, and more than one HPV type was detected at 6.6%. According to age groups, the most common HPVDNA positivity was observed under the age of 24 (16.7%), and the second most common was observed in those aged 55 and over (13.9%). In cytopathological examinations, 10.7% of all patients were found to have any epithelial cell dysplasia, while the rate of cytopathological abnormalities in the HPV DNA positive group was found to be 40%. While the rate of seropositivity development in the presence of HPV infection was reported to be approximately 50%, this rate was found to be 4.2% in our study. It was thought that the low seropositivity may be due to the random selection of the study group. While hr-HPV DNA positivity was 47% in patients with HPV IgG detected in the serum, the rate of cytopathological abnormalities in this patient group was 23.5%. In conclusion; the existence of a long preinvasive process in cervical cancer shows the importance of screening programs. PCR methods are fast, easy and reliable methods in screening HPV and determining protection strategies, especially in sexually active patients. However, it is thought that the application of serological tests in addition to molecular methods, especially in high-risk patient groups, will be guiding in terms of effective planning of protection and vaccination strategies and patient follow-up programs in the precancerous process. More comprehensive studies are needed to determine the prevalence and distribution of HPV types and serological profiles.