Detection of Mucosal Human Papillomaviruses Genotypes 16 and 18 in Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Sudan

Abstract

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the principal etiology for cervical cancer. This study aimed to detect mucosal HPVs, HPV16 and HPV18 in cervical cancer in Sudan. The DNA was extracted from sections of paraffin embedded tissues of Sudanese women (n, 63) with cervical squamous cell carcinomas and controls (n, 17). The patients DNA samples (100ng/μl) were amplified by mucosal HPV GP5+/GP6+, HPV16 type specific and HPV18 type specific primers. GP primers detected mucosal HPVs in 75% (n, 47) of the patients, and in none of the controls. HPV16 and HPV18 types were detected in 70% (n, 33) and 9% (n, 4) of the GP positives, respectively. HPV16 was detected from all tumor differentiations degrees specially moderately differentiated tumors, while HPV18 was detected from moderate and well differentiated tumors. HPV16 was detected in all ages but mostly isolated from older patients, while HPV18 was isolated from younger patients. Ten samples were HPV positive but their types were not determined. HPV16 and HPV18 were mostly detected in house wives ethnically from Central Sudan. HPV 16 is the most important determinant for development of cervical cancer in Sudan, with less contribution of HPV18. HPV screening and vaccination programs have to be established in young Sudanese women.