ArticlePDF Available

Human papillomavirus prevalence and type distribution in urine samples from Norwegian women aged 17 and 21 years: A nationwide cross-sectional study of three non-vaccinated birth cohorts

Authors:

Abstract and Figures

Background: The aim of the current study was to assess the HPV prevalence in unscreened and unvaccinated young women living in Norway, to provide important baseline data for early estimation of the impact of the HPV vaccination program. Methods: A total of 13,129 self-sampled urine samples from two complete birth-cohorts of 17-year old women born in 1994 and 1996 and one third of a birth-cohort of 21-year old women born in 1990, were analysed for the presence of 37 HPV types using PCR and a DNA hybridization technique. Results: In the two birth cohorts of 17-year old women, HPV was detected in 19.9% (95% CI 18.8-20.9) and 15.4% (95% CI 14.5-16.3), respectively. High-risk HPV types were detected in 11.2% (95% CI 10.3-12.0) and 7.6% (95% CI 6.9-8.2), respectively, while vaccine types were detected in 7.4% (95% CI 6.7-8.1) and 6.0% (95% CI 5.4-6.6), respectively. Among the 21-year old women HPV was detected in 45.4% (95% CI 42.9-47.8), whereas high-risk types were detected in 29.8% (95% CI 27.5-32.0). Vaccine types (HPV 6, 11, 16, 18) were detected in 16.2% (95% CI 14.4-18.1). Conclusion: This large population based study confirms that HPV testing in urine samples is easy and highly feasible for epidemiological studies and vaccine surveillance in young women. HPV was very common and a broad spectrum of HPV types was identified. Differences in HPV prevalence was seen both between age groups and between the two birth cohorts of 17-year old women.
Content may be subject to copyright.
Author’s Accepted Manuscript
Human papillomavirus prevalence and type
distribution in urine samples from Norwegian
women aged 17 and 21 years: A nationwide cross-
sectional study of three non-vaccinated birth cohorts
Tor Molden, Berit Feiring, Ole Herman Ambur,
Irene K. Christiansen, Mona Hansen, Ida Laake,
Roger Meisal, Ellen Myrvang, Christine
Monceyron Jonassen, Lill Trogstad
PII: S2405-8521(16)30010-6
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pvr.2016.05.002
Reference: PVR32
To appear in: Papillomavirus Research
Received date: 19 February 2016
Revised date: 6 May 2016
Accepted date: 7 May 2016
Cite this article as: Tor Molden, Berit Feiring, Ole Herman Ambur, Irene K.
Christiansen, Mona Hansen, Ida Laake, Roger Meisal, Ellen Myrvang, Christine
Monceyron Jonassen and Lill Trogstad, Human papillomavirus prevalence and
type distribution in urine samples from Norwegian women aged 17 and 21 years:
A nationwide cross-sectional study of three non-vaccinated birth cohorts,
Papillomavirus Research, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pvr.2016.05.002
This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for
publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of
the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and
review of the resulting galley proof before it is published in its final citable form.
Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which
could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
www.elsevier.com/locate/pvr
1
Human papillomavirus prevalence and type distribution in urine samples
from Norwegian women aged 17 and 21 years: A nationwide cross-sectional
study of three non-vaccinated birth cohorts
Tor Molden, Berit Feiringa, Ole Herman Amburb, Irene K. Christiansenb, Mona Hansenb, Ida
Laakea, Roger Meisalb, Ellen Myrvangb, Christine Monceyron Jonassenb,c*, Lill Trogstada*.
aNorwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box,4404 Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway.
bAkershus University Hospital, PO Box 1000, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway.
cØstfold Hospital Trust, PO Box 300, 1714 Grålum, Norway (present address).
±Corresponding author. Tor Molden, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 4404
Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway. Tel: +4721077000. E-mail address: tor.molden@fhi.no
*Shared authorship
E-mail addresses co-authors:
Berit Feiring: berit.feiring@fhi.no
Ole Herman Ambur: ole.herman.ambur@ahus.no
Irene Kraus Christiansen: irene.kraus.christiansen@ahus.no
Mona Hansen: mona.lindsethmo.hansen@ahus.no
Ida Laake: ida.laake@fhi.no
2
Roger Meisal: roger.meisal@ahus.no
Ellen Myrvang: ellen.myrvang@ahus.no
Christine Monceyron Jonassen: christine.monceyron.jonassen@so-hf.no
Lill Trogstad: lill.trogstad@fhi.no
Abstract
Background
The aim of the current study was to assess the HPV prevalence in unscreened and
unvaccinated young women living in Norway to provide important baseline data for early
estimation of the impact of the HPV vaccination program.
Methods
A total of 13,129 self-sampled urine samples from two complete birth-cohorts of 17-year old
women born in 1994 and 1996 and one third of a birth-cohort of 21-year old women born in
1990 living all across Norway were analysed for the presence of 37 HPV types using PCR
and a DNA hybridisation technique.
Results
In the two birth cohorts of 17-year old women, HPV was detected in 19.9% (95% CI 18.8-
20.9) and 15.4% (95% CI 14.5-16.3), respectively. High-risk HPV types were detected in
11.2% (95% CI 10.3-12.0) and 7.6% (95% CI 6.9-8.2), respectively, while vaccine types were
detected in 7.4% (95% CI 6.7-8.1) and 6.0% (95% CI 5.4-6.6), respectively. Among the 21-
3
year old women HPV was detected in 45.4% (95% CI 42.9-47.8), whereas high-risk types
were detected in 29.8% (95% CI 27.5-32.0). Vaccine types (HPV 6, 11, 16, 18) were detected
in 16.2% (95% CI 14.4-18.1).
Conclusion
This large population based study confirms that HPV testing in urine samples is easy and
highly feasible for epidemiological studies and vaccine surveillance in young women. HPV
was very common and a broad spectrum of HPV types was identified. Differences in HPV
prevalence was seen both between age groups and between the two birth cohorts of 17-year
old women.
Keywords human papillomavirus, immunisation, urine, vaccine, HPV prevalence, HPV
genotype
Introduction
Infection with an oncogenic type of human papillomavirus (HPV) is a pre-requisite for
developing cervical pre-cancerous lesions and carcinomas. More than 40 HPV types are
known to infect the human anogenital tract. At least 12 types are considered carcinogenic and
are commonly referred to as high-risk types [1-3].
Vaccination against HPV infection was introduced in the Norwegian childhood immunization
program in the school year 2009/2010. All girls born in 1997 and later have been offered the
4
vaccine in the 7th grade at age 11-12 years. No publically funded catch-up vaccination for the
older age groups has been introduced. The 4-valent vaccine, Gardasil® (Sanofi Pasteur Merck
Sharp & Dome Ltd.) is used in the program. The vaccine offers protection against HPV 16
and 18, which cause about 70% of invasive cervical carcinomas [4], as well as the low-risk
types 6, 11, the main etiologic agent for external genital warts [5, 6].
Knowledge of the baseline HPV prevalence and type distribution in unscreened and
unvaccinated birth cohorts is essential for estimating the impact of HPV vaccination.
However, few population-based studies have been conducted to assess the prevalence of HPV
and type distribution in pre-teens or young adults. Smaller studies of unvaccinated women
from Scotland and the Netherlands show an HPV prevalence in urine of 4.4% to 32.2% in the
age groups of 14-16 and 20-21 years, respectively [7, 8]. A few studies have assessed the
prevalence of circulating HPV types in Norway, generally focusing on HPV types present in
cervical precancerous or cancerous lesions or in women visiting gynaecology clinics [9-15].
Less is known about the HPV prevalence and genotype distribution in women in their late
teens or early twenties, who have not yet been invited to participate in the national screening
program against cervical cancer. The aim of the current study was to describe the HPV type
prevalence in young women in Norway who have not been offered the vaccine against HPV
as part of the national childhood immunization program. We were also interested in
comparing the HPV prevalence between 17-year olds and 21-year olds and between two birth
cohorts of 17-year olds to document natural fluctuations of HPV prevalence.
Material and methods
Enrolment, sample collection, and study sample
Women eligible for the study were identified through the Norwegian Population Register.
5
In 2011, an invitation letter was sent to all women born in 1994 residing in Norway as of
January 1st 2011, except some born at the end of 1994, in total 83.0% of the birth cohort (Fig.
1). In 2013, a total of 99.5% of the women born in 1996 were invited to participate in the
study. The invitation was sent the same month the women became 17 years (in 2011 and
2013, respectively). Women born between August and December in 1990 were invited in the
period January to May 2012. The HPV prevalence in this age-group was expected to be at
least twice the HPV prevalence in the 17-year olds. Therefore, only women born between
August and December were invited, in total 30.8% of the birth cohort. From the initial birth
cohort list obtained at the beginning of the year of sample collection, some were not invited
due to missing address, invalid social security number, death, or emigration.
The invitation was sent by mail and included information about the study, an informed
consent form, and a pre-franked envelope for returning the signed informed consent. Women
who consented to participate received a sample kit and instructions for obtaining a first void
urine sample together with a pre-franked return envelope. The sample device contained a
preservative (boric acid), to prevent bacterial growth. The urine samples were shipped by mail
to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) where the samples were marked,
processed and stored at -80°C until further analysis. An aliquot was sent to the Norwegian
HPV Reference Laboratory (Akershus University Hospital) for isolation of nucleic acids and
HPV genotyping. HPV results were not routinely communicated to the participants, but were
provided upon request. Participants could withdraw from the study at any time. All
participants were rewarded with two cinema tickets for their contribution.
A total of 13,129 women contributed with a urine sample. The participation rates were similar
for the northern, middle, western, southern and eastern region of Norway, and ranged from
14.2 to 17.8% for the 21-year olds and 16.9-22.3% for the 17-year olds.
6
Linkage to the immunisation register for individual vaccination status was not performed
since the current study population is largely unvaccinated. These young women were not
offered vaccine against HPV as part of the national immunisation program. According to
distribution numbers, very few vaccine doses have been distributed for sale to this group.
The study was approved by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics
and the Norwegian Data Protection Authority.
Isolation of nucleic acids
Nucleic acids were isolated using Boom’s isolation method [16] and the automatic
NucliSENS easyMAG extraction device (bioMérieux Corporate, Marcy l’Etoile, France).
Total nucleic acids were kept cold and analysed within four hours or stored at -80°C until
analysis.
Validation of sample adequacy and HPV genotyping
Human β-globin quantitative real-time PCR for validation of sample adequacy and HPV
genotyping using PCR and DNA hybridization and Luminex based technology was performed
as previously described [17, 18]. The HPV genotyping method detects 37 HPV types; 12
high-risk HPV types (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59), six probable high-risk
types (26, 53, 66, 68, 73, 82), and 19 undetermined or low-risk types (6, 11, 30, 40, 42, 43,
54, 61, 67, 69, 70, 74, 81, 83, 86, 87, 89, 90, 91)[1, 2].
In order not to compete with the HPV PCR, the β-globin PCR was run in a separate reaction.
The PCR products were kept frozen at -20°C until further analysis.
Upon Luminex detection of values in the range from the cut-off value up to two times the cut-
off value for any HPV-type, a re-analysis was performed in duplicate. Individual cut-off
values for each HPV-type were calculated for each run based on the level of background
noise. Cut-off modification values and factors for cross-hybridization correction used to
7
calculate the cut-off were adapted from the WHO HPV reference laboratory in Sweden. A
total of 202 samples (1.5%) did not give a valid result for β-globin or for HPV, and were
excluded from the analyses.
Statistical analyses
The prevalence of HPV types was defined as the number of positive specimens divided by the
total number of specimens with valid PCR result (β-globin and Luminex). We calculated the
corresponding 95% Wald confidence intervals (CIs).
Chi squared tests were used to test for differences between proportions. All tests were two-
sided, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The data were analysed with
STATA/SE version 13.0 (StataCorp, College Station, Texas, USA).
Results
HPV prevalence by birth cohort is shown in Table 1. The overall HPV prevalence in urine
specimens from 21-year old women was 45.4% (95% CI 42.9, 47.8). High-risk types were
detected in 29.8% (95% CI 27.5, 32.0), corresponding to 65.5% of all HPV positive samples.
The vaccine types 6, 11, 16, and 18, were detected in 16.2% (95% CI 14.4, 18.1),
corresponding to 35.7% of all HPV positive samples. Multiple infections were observed in
26.1% (95% CI 23.9, 28.2).
For 17-year old women born in 1994, the overall HPV prevalence was 19.9% (95% CI 18.8,
20.9). High-risk types were detected in 11.2% (95% CI 10.3, 12.0). Vaccine types 6, 11, 16,
and 18, were detected in 7.4% (95% CI 6.7, 8.1). Multiple infections were observed in 9.2%
(95% CI 8.5, 10.0). Among all positive HPV samples, 56.2% were high-risk types and 37.1%
were positive for any vaccine type.
8
For 17-year old women born in 1996, the overall HPV prevalence was 15.4% (95% CI 14.5,
16.3). High-risk types were detected in 7.6% (95% CI 6.9, 8.2). Vaccine types 6, 11, 16, and
18, were detected in 4.8% (95% CI 4.3, 5.3). Multiple infections were observed in 6.0% (95%
CI 5.4, 6.6). Among all HPV positive samples, 49.1% were positive for high-risk types, and
31.2% were positive for any vaccine types.
The HPV prevalence was significantly higher (p<0.001) in 21-year old women as compared
to the 17-year old women combined for HPV overall (45.4% vs. 17.5%), high-risk HPV types
(29.8% vs. 9.3%), probable high-risk HPV types (8.2% vs. 3.1%), low-risk HPV types (29.1%
vs. 10.0%), vaccine HPV types (16.2% vs. 6.0%), and multiple infections (26.1% vs. 7.5%).
Moreover, the prevalence was significantly higher (p<0.001) among 17-year olds born in
1994 than 17-year olds born in 1996 for HPV total, high-risk HPV types, low-risk HPV types,
vaccine HPV types, and multiple infections, whereas the prevalence of probable high-risk
types was not significantly different (p=0.45).
The prevalence of HPV types defined as high-risk or probable high-risk are presented in Fig.
2. HPV 16 was the most common HPV genotype detected in 21-year old women, with a
prevalence of 11.4%. Following HPV 16, the four most common high-risk or probable high-
risk HPV types were in decreasing order; HPV 51, 56, 18, and 31.
Among 17-year old women born in 1994, HPV 16, the most common HPV type, was detected
in 3.5% of the samples. After HPV 16, the four most common high-risk or probable high-risk
HPV types were in decreasing order; HPV 51, 18, 59, and 66.
Among 17-year old girls born in 1996, HPV 16, the most common HPV type, was detected in
2.4% of the samples. After HPV 16, the four most common high-risk or probable high-risk
HPV types were in decreasing order; HPV 66, 51, 31 and 59.
9
The prevalence of HPV types defined as undetermined or low-risk is presented in Fig. 3. For
21-year old women, HPV 90 was the most common low-risk HPV genotype with a
prevalence of 6.4%. Other common low-risk HPV types were in decreasing order; HPV 42,
87, and 89. The vaccine types HPV 6 and 11 were detected in 3.3% and 0.04% of the 21-year
old women, respectively.
Among 17-year old girls born in 1994, the most common low-risk HPV type was HPV 6
(2.7%), followed by HPV 90, 42, and 87. The vaccine type HPV 11 was detected in 0.3%.
Among 17-year old girls born in 1996, the most common low-risk HPV type was HPV 6
(1.8%), followed by HPV90, 89, and 87. The vaccine type HPV 11 was detected in 0.3%.
Discussion
This study is the first of a series of nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional studies with
the aim to estimate the early impact of the HPV vaccination program in Norway. We assessed
HPV prevalence in self-sampled urine specimens in 17- and 21-year old women who have not
been offered the vaccine against HPV as part of the national childhood immunization
program.
All the 37 HPV types included in the HPV Luminex assay were detected in our study sample.
Knowledge of the prevalence of high-risk HPV types 16 and 18 as well as the low-risk HPV
types 6 and 11 in the population prior to vaccination is of primary interest for future studies of
the impact of the 4-valent vaccine. The vaccine types HPV16 and 18 were detected in nearly
half of the HPV high-risk positive samples across all age groups, which correspond well with
previous results from unvaccinated 20-21 year old women in Scotland [8]. Of the other
vaccine types, HPV 6 was common, whereas HPV 11 was quite rare. These results are in
10
accordance with a Swedish study [19]. In contrast, the prevalence of HPV 6 was similar to the
prevalence of HPV 11 in a Dutch study [7].
HPV high-risk types were detected in a large proportion of the samples and were similar to
what has been reported in other European studies, both regarding types detected and
prevalence [7, 8, 20]. The prevalence increased with age and was found to be two- to three
times higher in 21-year old women compared to 17-year olds. Increasing prevalence with age
is in line with several studies [20-23]. All together, these observations confirm that infection
with HPV vaccine types or other high-risk types is common in young Norwegian women.
The HPV prevalence differed between the two birth cohorts of 17-year olds. The prevalence
was significantly higher among girls in the 1994 birth cohort as compared to the 1996 birth
cohort. The regional participation pattern was similar in the two birth cohorts (results not
shown), thus regional differences in HPV prevalence do not explain the difference between
these two birth cohorts. The finding may be a result of natural fluctuations in the prevalence
of HPV. Also, a few of the participants in the study may have received the HPV-vaccine
outside the national childhood immunization program. According to data from the Norwegian
immunization register, approximately 3% of all girls born in 1996 and 2% of all girls born in
1994 have been vaccinated with three doses of the 4-valent vaccine (unpublished data). We do
not suspect the small proportion of individuals in the cohorts already vaccinated to
differentially affect the HPV results. The assumption that the difference in HPV prevalence
between the two cohorts of 17-year olds is not due to vaccination is supported by the
prevalence of non-vaccine HPV types which is also generally lower in the 1996 birth cohort
compared to the 1994 birth cohort.
A major strength of the current study is the population-based design and large sample.
However, the low participation rate may cause selection bias if willingness to participate is
11
systematically associated with certain sexual behaviours increasing the risk of HPV, or
vaccination status which would reduce the risk of HPV. Nevertheless, the aim of the HPV
surveillance program is to monitor changes in prevalence and type distribution over time and
we believe this potential bias to be comparable from year to year, so the comparison of HPV
prevalence’s across birth cohorts is still expected to be valid.
Considering the young age of the study subjects, taking a less intrusive urine sample is for
ethical reasons preferred over a cervical sample.
Testing for HPV in urine samples may not be comparable to testing cervical smears, as
detection of HPV in urine may not be representative for HPV infections in the cervix. This
has been shown in several studies where in general the HPV prevalence is lower when HPV
DNA is isolated from urine compared to when HPV DNA is isolated from the cervical smears
[8, 24]. Accordingly, the HPV prevalence observed in our study is most likely an
underestimate of the true prevalence in cervical specimens. Nevertheless, our large study
confirms that HPV testing in urine samples is easy to implement and highly feasible for
epidemiological studies and vaccine surveillance in young women, as also stated in other
studies [25-28].
Further surveillance of the early impact of the HPV vaccination program in Norway will
include urine samples from both vaccinated and not vaccinated birth cohorts. Changes in the
HPV prevalence over time will be documented. Additionally, the surveillance program is
planned to include routine HPV-testing of cervical histological samples with cancerous and
pre-cancerous lesions. So far, only girls in the 7th grade in Norway has been offered the HPV
vaccine. Thus, it will take several more years before the vaccine effectiveness including these
endpoints can be estimated.
Conclusions
12
In conclusion, this large population based study confirms that HPV testing in urine samples is
easy and highly feasible for epidemiological studies and vaccine surveillance in young
women. We have assessed the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV in urine
specimens from young women from a largely unvaccinated population, providing important
baseline data for early estimation of the impact of the HPV vaccination program in Norway.
HPV was frequently detected. A broad spectrum of HPV types was identified and multiple
infections were prevalent. HPV was detected two to three fold more frequently in 21-year old
women compared to 17-year old women, and there were also differences between the two 17-
year old birth cohorts. The vaccine specific HPV types 6, 16 and 18 were quite common in
young Norwegian women, whereas the vaccine type HPV 11 was quite rare.
Conflict of interests
None.
Sources of support
This research received funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services.
Authors`contributions
TM contributed with preparation of data files, analysis and interpretation of the data, and
drafting the article. OHA and IKC contributed with laboratory analysis, analysis and
interpretation of the data and revising the article for important intellectual content. MH and
EM contributed to conception and design of the study, laboratory analysis, interpretation of
the data, and revising the article for important intellectual content. IL contributed with
13
analysis and interpretation of the data and revising the article for important intellectual
content. RM contributed with laboratory analyses and revising the article for important
intellectual content. BF, CMJ and LT contributed to conception and design of the study,
interpretation of the data, and revising the article for important intellectual content. All
authors have given final approval of the version to be published.
Acknowledgements
We thank the HPVnorvaks study group for their contribution in making this study
manageable. Special thanks to Alexander Eieland and Nermin Zecic at the HPV reference
laboratory for technical support, Jeanette Stålkrantz, Nina Hovland, Patricia Schreuder, at
Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) for their work with invitations letter and
informed consent forms, Ole-Martin Kvinge at NIPH for data management, Nina Kristin
Stensrud and Kari Harbak at the NIPH biobank for management of sampling kit and urine
samples.
References
[1] Munoz N, Castellsague X, de Gonzalez AB, Gissmann L. Chapter 1: HPV in the etiology of human
cancer. Vaccine. 2006;24 Suppl 3:S3/1-10.
[2] IARC. Biological agents. IARC Monogr Eval Carcinog Risks Hum. 2012;100:1-441.
[3] IARC. Human papillomaviruses. IARC Monogr Eval Carcinog Risks Hum. 2007;90:1-636.
[4] Li N, Franceschi S, Howell-Jones R, Snijders PJ, Clifford GM. Human papillomavirus type
distribution in 30,848 invasive cervical cancers worldwide: Variation by geographical region,
histological type and year of publication. Int J Cancer. 2011;128:927-35.
[5] Gissmann L, deVilliers EM, zur Hausen H. Analysis of human genital warts (condylomata
acuminata) and other genital tumors for human papillomavirus type 6 DNA. Int J Cancer.
1982;29:143-6.
[6] Brown DR, Bryan JT, Cramer H, Fife KH. Analysis of human papillomavirus types in exophytic
condylomata acuminata by hybrid capture and Southern blot techniques. J Clin Microbiol.
1993;31:2667-73.
[7] Mollers M, Scherpenisse M, van der Klis FR, King AJ, van Rossum TG, van Logchem EM, et al.
Prevalence of genital HPV infections and HPV serology in adolescent girls, prior to vaccination.
Cancer Epidemiol. 2012;36:519-24.
[8] Kavanagh K, Sinka K, Cuschieri K, Love J, Potts A, Pollock KG, et al. Estimation of HPV prevalence in
young women in Scotland; monitoring of future vaccine impact. BMC Infect Dis. 2013;13:519.
14
[9] Kristiansen E, Jenkins A, Kristensen G, Ask E, Kaern J, Abeler V, et al. Human papillomavirus
infection in Norwegian women with cervical cancer. APMIS. 1994;102:122-8.
[10] Gjooen K, Olsen AO, Magnus P, Grinde B, Sauer T, Orstavik I. Prevalence of human
papillomavirus in cervical scrapes, as analyzed by PCR, in a population-based sample of women with
and without cervical dysplasia. APMIS. 1996;104:68-74.
[11] Kraus I, Molden T, Erno LE, Skomedal H, Karlsen F, Hagmar B. Human papillomavirus oncogenic
expression in the dysplastic portio; an investigation of biopsies from 190 cervical cones. Br J Cancer.
2004;90:1407-13.
[12] Molden T, Kraus I, Karlsen F, Skomedal H, Nygard JF, Hagmar B. Comparison of human
papillomavirus messenger RNA and DNA detection: a cross-sectional study of 4,136 women >30 years
of age with a 2-year follow-up of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. Cancer Epidemiol
Biomarkers Prev. 2005;14:367-72.
[13] Molden T, Kraus I, Karlsen F, Skomedal H, Hagmar B. Human papillomavirus E6/E7 mRNA
expression in women younger than 30 years of age. Gynecol Oncol. 2006;100:95-100.
[14] Kraus I, Molden T, Holm R, Lie AK, Karlsen F, Kristensen GB, et al. Presence of E6 and E7 mRNA
from human papillomavirus types 16, 18, 31, 33, and 45 in the majority of cervical carcinomas. J Clin
Microbiol. 2006;44:1310-7.
[15] Sjoeborg KD, Trope A, Lie AK, Jonassen CM, Steinbakk M, Hansen M, et al. HPV genotype
distribution according to severity of cervical neoplasia. Gynecol Oncol. 2010;118:29-34.
[16] Boom R, Sol CJ, Salimans MM, Jansen CL, Wertheim-van Dillen PM, van der Noordaa J. Rapid and
simple method for purification of nucleic acids. J Clin Microbiol. 1990;28:495-503.
[17] Schmitt M, Bravo IG, Snijders PJ, Gissmann L, Pawlita M, Waterboer T. Bead-based multiplex
genotyping of human papillomaviruses. J Clin Microbiol. 2006;44:504-12.
[18] Soderlund-Strand A, Carlson J, Dillner J. Modified general primer PCR system for sensitive
detection of multiple types of oncogenic human papillomavirus. J Clin Microbiol. 2009;47:541-6.
[19] Soderlund-Strand A, Uhnoo I, Dillner J. Change in Population Prevalences of Human
Papillomavirus after Initiation of Vaccination: The High-Throughput HPV Monitoring Study. Cancer
Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2014;23:2757-64.
[20] Kjaer SK, Munk C, Junge J, Iftner T. Carcinogenic HPV prevalence and age-specific type
distribution in 40,382 women with normal cervical cytology, ASCUS/LSIL, HSIL, or cervical cancer:
what is the potential for prevention? Cancer Causes Control. 2014;25:179-89.
[21] Dunne EF, Unger ER, Sternberg M, McQuillan G, Swan DC, Patel SS, et al. Prevalence of HPV
infection among females in the United States. JAMA. 2007;297:813-9.
[22] Howell-Jones R, de Silva N, Akpan M, Oakeshott P, Carder C, Coupland L, et al. Prevalence of
human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in sexually active adolescents and young women in England,
prior to widespread HPV immunisation. Vaccine. 2012;30:3867-75.
[23] Orlando G, Fasolo M, Mazza F, Ricci E, Esposito S, Frati E, et al. Risk of cervical HPV infection and
prevalence of vaccine-type and other high-risk HPV types among sexually active teens and young
women (13-26 years) enrolled in the VALHIDATE study. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2014;10:986-94.
[24] Sinka K, Lacey M, Robertson C, Kavanagh K, Cuschieri K, Nicholson D, et al. Acceptability and
response to a postal survey using self-taken samples for HPV vaccine impact monitoring. Sex Transm
Infect. 2011;87:548-52.
[25] Cuschieri K, Nandwani R, McGough P, Cook F, Hogg L, Robertson C, et al. Urine testing as a
surveillance tool to monitor the impact of HPV immunization programs. J Med Virol. 2011;83:1983-7.
[26] Vorsters A, Micalessi I, Bilcke J, Ieven M, Bogers J, Van Damme P. Detection of human
papillomavirus DNA in urine. A review of the literature. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2012;31:627-
40.
[27] Tanzi E, Bianchi S, Fasolo MM, Frati ER, Mazza F, Martinelli M, et al. High performance of a new
PCR-based urine assay for HPV-DNA detection and genotyping. J Med Virol. 2013;85:91-8.
[28] Pathak N, Dodds J, Zamora J, Khan K. Accuracy of urinary human papillomavirus testing for
presence of cervical HPV: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2014;349:g5264.
15
[29] Statistics Norway. Folkemengde, etter kjønn og ettårig alder, tabell 10211. 2015,
www.ssb.no/statistikkbanken/
Figure 1: Flow-chart study population
¹ ² ³ Total female birth cohort alive the 1st of January the year of sample collection [31].
Figure 2: Prevalence of high-risk and probably high-risk HPV types in urine samples from
unvaccinated Norwegian women by birth cohort.
Figure 3: Prevalence of undetermined or low-risk HPV types in urine samples from
unvaccinated Norwegian women by birth cohort.
Table 1: HPV prevalence in urine samples from Norwegian women by birth cohort
21 yrs 1990 (N=1565)
17 yrs 1994 (N=5468)
HPV
n
% (95% CI)
n
% (95% CI)
n
% (95% CI)
Total1
710
45.4 (42.9-47.8)
1087
19.9 (18.8-20.9)
907
15.4 (14.5-16.3)
High-risk (HR)2
466
29.8 (27.5-32.0)
611
11.2 (10.3-12.0)
445
7.6 (6.9-8.2)
Probably HR3
129
8.2 (6.9-9.6)
174
3.2 (2.7-3.6)
173
2.9 (2.5-3.4)
Low-risk4
455
29.1 (26.8-31.3)
640
11.7 (10.9-12.6)
500
8.5 (7.8-9.2)
Vaccine types5
254
16.2 (14.4-18.1)
403
7.4 (6.7-8.1)
283
4.8 (4.3-5.3)
Multiple infection6
408
26.1 (23.9-28.2)
504
9.2 (8.5-10.0)
352
6.0 (5.4-6.6)
Walds method was used to calculate 95 % CIs
¹HPV total includes those who are positive for at least one of the 37 HPV types tested for and those
who are HPV type negative, but positive for HPV using generic primers.
²HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59
3HPV types 26, 53, 66, 68, 73, 82
4HPV types 6, 11, 30, 40, 42, 43, 54, 61, 67, 69, 70, 74, 81, 83, 86, 87, 89, 90, 91
5HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18
6Infection positive for two or more HPV types
16
Highlights
1. Self-sampled urine proved suitable for large scale HPV testing
2. HPV 16 and 18 was very common among young girls
3. A wide variety of HPV types circulates in the population
4. HPV was detected in nearly half of the 21-year old women
5. HPV was detected in 15-20% of the 17-year old women
Birth cohort 19901
N=32 401
Invitation letter sent girls aged
21 in 2012 (n=9977 (100%))
Informed consent received at
NIPH (n=1952 (19.6%))
Urine samples received at the
NIPH(n=1586 (15.9%))
PCR Luminex
(n=1565 (15.7%))
Birth cohort 19942
N=31 100
Invitation letter sent girls aged
17 in 2011 (n=25 811 (100%))
Informed consent received at
NIPH (n=6778 (26.3%))
Urine samples received at the
NIPH (n=5528 21.4%))
PCR Luminex (n=5468 (21.2%))
Birth cohort 19963
N=31 921
Invitation letter sent girls aged
17 in 2013 (n=31 749 (100%))
Informed consent received at
NIPH (n=7485 23.6%))
Urine samples received at the
NIPH(n=6015 (18.9%))
PCR Luminex
(n=5894 (18.6%))
0.5
0.7
1.3
0.3
0.4
0.8
0.5
0.4
1.2
1.5
1.4
3.6
1.2
1.4
2.4
0.3
0.4
1.7
0.9
1.2
3.8
0.3
0.5
1.7
0.6
1.3
3.5
1.3
2.3
5.0
0.3
0.5
2.1
0.6
1.3
3.5
0.2
0.2
1.0
0.8
0.9
1.7
1.2
1.3
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.1
1.0
2.0
3.7
2.4
3.5
11.4
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Prevalence (%)
HPV82
HPV73
HPV68
HPV66
HPV59
HPV58
HPV56
HPV53
HPV52
HPV51
HPV45
HPV39
HPV35
HPV33
HPV31
HPV26
HPV18
HPV16
1990
1994
1996
1.0
1.4
3.1
1.5
2.1
6.5
1.4
1.4
3.9
1.2
1.8
4.4
0.0
0.3
0.6
0.1
0.1
1.0
0.3
0.6
2.6
0.4
0.5
3.8
0.1
0.2
1.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
1.0
1.0
2.6
0.1
0.1
1.1
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.5
0.8
2.0
1.2
1.9
4.4
0.3
0.4
0.8
0.3
0.2
0.8
0.3
0.3
0.4
1.7
2.7
3.3
01234567
Prevalence (%)
HPV91
HPV90
HPV89
HPV87
HPV86
HPV83
HPV81
HPV74
HPV70
HPV69
HPV67
HPV61
HPV54
HPV43
HPV42
HPV40
HPV30
HPV11
HPV6
1990
1994
1996
... Also, HPV may establish latent infections in the basal layers of the cervix that are controlled by the host's cellular immunity. These infections can be reactivated due to alterations in the host's immune response and hormonal levels during pregnancy (Hammer et al., 2019, Leonard et J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f al., 2016, Maglennon and Doorbar, 2012, Maglennon et al., 2014, Veress et al., 1996. ...
... Louvanto et al. found a similar prevalence of HPV infections, stratified by ethnicity, during the third trimester (Louvanto et al., 2011), as in our study, although HPV was detected from cervical samples whereas our study used first-void urine. A Norwegian study of HPV prevalence in urine samples from young non-pregnant women showed an HR-HPV prevalence in 21 year old women of 30% (Molden, 2016). This is similar to midgestation prevalence in the present study population with a mean age of 32 years, indicating high HPV prevalence in older pregnant women. ...
... In the current study, we found HPV16, HPV51 and HPV31 as the most prevalent genotypes at both mid-gestation and delivery, while HPV18 was not among the prevalent genotypes, in contrast to aforementioned studies. Our findings of HPV16 being the most prevalent genotype is in line with previous studies on HPV prevalence in both pregnant and non-pregnant women (Bruni et al., 2010, Chan et al., 2002, Liu et al., 2014, Louvanto et al., 2011, Louvanto et al., 2010, Molden, 2016, Smith et al., 2004, Yuill et al., 2020. The lower prevalence of HPV infection at delivery compared to mid-gestation in our study population is in line with a cross-sectional Korean study of 960 women (Kim et al., 2014). ...
Article
Full-text available
Objectives Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are common, especially during women’s reproductive years, with unclear obstetrical impact. This study aimed to identify HPV prevalence at mid-gestation and delivery, type-specific persistence from mid-gestation to delivery, and risk factors for HPV infection and persistence. Methods In 757 women from a Scandinavian prospective mother-child cohort, HPV was analyzed in first-void urine samples at mid-gestation and delivery. We used Seegene Anyplex II HPV28 PCR assay for genotyping and semi-quantifying 28 genital HPV genotypes, including 12 High-Risk HPVs (HR-HPV). Socio-demographic and health data were collected through e-questionnaires. Results Any-HPV genotype (any of 28 assessed) was detected in 38% at mid-gestation and 28% at delivery, and HR-HPVs in 24% and 16%, respectively. The most prevalent genotype was HPV16: 6% at mid-gestation and 4% at delivery. Persistence of Any-HPV genotype was 52%, as was HR-HPV genotype-specific persistence. Short pre-conceptional relation to offspring’s father and alcohol intake during pregnancy increased the risk of HPV infection at both time points. Low viral load at mid-gestation was associated with clearance of HPV infections at delivery. Conclusion The HPV prevalence was higher at mid-gestation compared to delivery, and low viral load was associated with clearance of HPV at delivery.
... Thus, screening data are not suitable to assess early vaccine impact. Consequently, a national HPV surveillance program comprising a series of nationwide, population-based cross-sectional studies was set up, assessing HPV prevalence in urine samples from girls and young women not yet targeted by the national screening program [12]. ...
... DNA extraction and HPV genotyping were performed at the Norwegian HPV Reference Laboratory as previously described [12]. In brief, the presence of HPV DNA was investigated using a modified GP5 + /GP6 + polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol [15], followed by Luminex-based genotype detection [16]. ...
... Sample adequacy was evaluated through a β-globin PCR assay. The assay detects 37 genotypes: 12 [1]. The samples were analyzed consecutively with overlaps between birth cohorts, according to the same genotyping protocol. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background: In 2009, quadrivalent HPV vaccine was introduced in a school-based single-cohort programme targeting 12-year-old girls in Norway. We estimated the impact of the Norwegian HPV immunisation programme. Methods: Three birth cohorts of 17-year-old girls, two non-vaccine (born 1994/1996) and one vaccine-eligible cohort (born 1997) were invited to deliver urine samples. The samples were analysed for 37 HPV genotypes. HPV prevalence was compared between birth cohorts, and between vaccinated and unvaccinated girls within and across birth cohorts after linkage to the Norwegian Immunisation Registry. Results: In total, 17 749 urine samples were analysed. A 42% (95% CI 37%-47%) reduction in any HPV type and 81% (95% CI 76%-85%) reduction in vaccine types (6/11/16/18) was observed in the vaccine-eligible cohort compared to the 1994-cohort. Vaccine types were reduced by 54% (95% CI 39%-66%) in unvaccinated and 90% (95% CI 86%-92%) in vaccinated 1997-girls, when compared to unvaccinated 1994-girls. Significant reduction was also observed for several non-vaccine types. Vaccine type prevalence was reduced by 77% (95% CI 65%-85%) in vaccinated compared to unvaccinated 1997-girls. Conclusions: In this largely HPV-naïve population, we observed a substantial reduction in vaccine- and non-vaccine types in vaccinated and unvaccinated girls following introduction of HPV vaccination.
... The HPV genotyping was performed using the Anyplex™ II HPV28 Detection system (Seegene, Seoul, Republic of Korea) that is based on multiplex real-time PCR which allows the simultaneous identification of multiple HPV genotypes using DPO™ (Dual-Priming Oligonucleotides) and TOCE™ (Tagging Oligonucleotide Cleavage and Extension) technologies. The test simultaneously detects, differentiates, and quantizes 28 distinct HPV genotypes, including 19 high-risk (16,18,26,31,33,35,39,45,51,52,53,56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 69, 73, 82) and 9 low-risk (6,11,40,42,43,44,54,61,70). The amplification of target sequences was performed through PCR multiplex reactions on the CFX96TM Real-time PCR system (Bio-Rad Laboratories GmbH, Munich, Germany). ...
... One of the main findings is that the overall prevalence of HPV infection in urine samples was 8.1%, with a higher prevalence in women (9.9%) compared to men (4.2%). The prevalence in women is similar to that reported in a recent review that showed among healthy women in Europe a value of 9.7% [3], whereas higher prevalence of 19.9% on urine samples has been detected in non-vaccinated women in Norway [18] and of 22.1% in 18-40 years old women in Italy [16]. The few studies on urine in males reported an HPV prevalence of 4.1% in vaccinated and 10% in non-vaccinated 18-year-olds in Finland [19] and of 13.6% in 18-40 years old in Italy [16]. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background: The aims of the study were to determine, in the urine and oral samples of young adults, the genotype-specific prevalence of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection, the HPV DNA type-specific prevalence in unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals, and the determinants of HPV infection. Methods: Selected participants were asked to fill in a self-administered questionnaire and to self-collect urine and saliva samples. Results: Among the 1002 participants, 81 (8.1%) resulted positive for HPV DNA. The most common low-risk genotype was HPV 42 (2.2%), followed by HPV 43 (0.8%), and 40 (0.5%). The HPV 51 was the most common high-risk genotype (1.5%) followed by HPV 66 (1%) and HPV 68 (1%), and no participants were infected with HPV genotypes 18, 33, 45. Females, those who have had one or more occasional sexual partner, those who never/rarely/sometimes used condoms during their sexual activity, those with a previous diagnosis of sexually transmitted infection, and those who were not vaccinated were more likely to be tested positive for HPV infection. Conclusions: The low prevalence of genital HPV infections has provided evidence of the effectiveness of HPV vaccination both in vaccinated and not yet vaccinated subjects through herd immunity and indicated its decisive role in the changing epidemiology of circulating HPV genotypes in the population.
... The quadrivalent vaccine was used until 2017. As part of the national surveillance of the HPV vaccination program, urine samples from girls and young women are collected in a series of population-based cross-sectional studies to monitor HPV prevalence [22,23]. We have previously studied genotype prevalence and vaccine effectiveness in 17-year-old girls [23]. ...
... Samples were analyzed for HPV at the Norwegian HPV Reference Laboratory. The DNA extraction and HPV genotyping protocols have been described in detail previously [22]. Briefly, a modified GP5+/GP6+ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol [24] followed by a Luminex-based genotyping test [25] ...
Article
Full-text available
Background Whether type-specific human papillomavirus (HPV) infection influences the risk of acquiring infections with other HPV types is unclear. We studied concurrent HPV infections in 17-year-old girls from two birth cohorts; the first vaccine-eligible cohort in Norway and a pre-vaccination cohort. Methods Urine samples were collected and tested for 37 HPV genotypes. This study was restricted to unvaccinated girls from the pre-vaccination cohort (n=5245) and vaccinated girls from the vaccine-eligible cohort (n=4904). Risk of HPV infection was modelled using mixed-effect logistic regression. Expected frequencies of concurrent infection with each pairwise combination of the vaccine types and high-risk types (6/11/16/18/31/33/35/39/45/51/52/56/58/59) were compared to observed frequencies. Results Infection with multiple HPV types was more common among unvaccinated girls than vaccinated girls (9.2% vs. 3.7%). HPV33 and HPV51 was the only HPV-pair that was detected together more often than expected among both unvaccinated (p=0.002) and vaccinated girls (p<0.001). No HPV-pairs were observed significantly less often than expected. Conclusions HPV33 and HPV51 tended to be involved in co-infection among both unvaccinated and vaccinated girls. The introduction of HPV vaccination does not seem to have had an effect on the tendency of specific HPV types to cluster together.
... HPV infection is common in Norway, with a prevalence of up to 45% in unvaccinated women [10][11][12] . About 10% of HPV infections become persistent and can lead to cervical cancer. ...
Article
Full-text available
Aim The objective of this study was to estimate and compare the cost-effectiveness of switching from a bivalent to a nonavalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in Norway, incorporating all nonavalent vaccine-preventable HPV-related diseases and in the context of the latest cervical cancer screening program. Methods A well-established dynamic transmission model of the natural history of HPV infection and disease was adapted to the Norwegian population. We determined the number of cases of HPV-related diseases and subsequent number of deaths, and the economic burden of HPV-related disease under the current standard of care conditions of bivalent and nonavalent vaccinations of girls and boys aged 12 years. Results Compared to bivalent vaccination, nonavalent vaccination averted an additional 4,357 cases of HPV-related cancers, 421,925 cases of genital warts, and 543 cases of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) over a 100-year time horizon. Nonavalent vaccination also averted an additional 1,044 deaths over the 100-year time horizon when compared with bivalent vaccination. Total costs were higher for the nonavalent strategy (10.5 billion NOK [€1.03 billion] vs. 9.3–9.4 billion NOK [€915–925 million] for bivalent vaccination). A switch to nonavalent vaccination had a higher vaccination cost (4.4 billion NOK [€433 million] vs. 2.7 billion NOK [€266 million] for bivalent vaccination) but resulted in a savings of 627–694 million NOK [€62–68 million] in treatment costs. A switch to nonavalent vaccination demonstrated an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 102,500 NOK (€10,086) per QALY versus bivalent vaccination. Conclusions Using a model that incorporated the full range of HPV-related diseases, and the latest cervical cancer screening practices, we found that switching from bivalent to nonavalent vaccination would be considered cost-effective in Norway.
... With the transition to HPV-based screening, the routine screening interval has increased from 3 to 5 years. Young women are frequently infected with HPV [4]; hence, women aged 25-33 years are still offered cytology-based screening every third year [5]. The flowchart for follow-up of abnormal test results was last updated in 2018 [6]. ...
Article
Full-text available
Objective: To explore Norwegian general practitioners' (GPs) experiences with the changes in the cervical cancer screening programme and to uncover which aspects of the programme they find most challenging. Design: We conducted an electronic cross-sectional survey. Setting: Norwegian GPs were invited to participate in the survey between February and September in 2020. Subjects: One hundred and fifty-five of 429 invited Norwegian GPs responded. Main outcome measures: Self-reported measures were used to analyse GPs experiences and beliefs related to the screening programme. Results: Most GPs did not find it particularly challenging to keep up with the changes in the screening programme, regardless of whether they came from areas with HPV-based or cytology-based cervical cancer screening implemented. Challenges concerning the follow-up of patients after an abnormal test were a frequently reported issue. We did not find any differences in how often GPs were uncertain of the follow-up of an abnormal test result in areas with HPV-based compared to cytology-based screening. Conclusions: The implementation of HPV-based cervical cancer screening in women 34-69 years does not seem to have affected how challenging the GPs perceive the screening programme.Key PointsHow Norwegian general practitioners (GPs) keep up with changes in the Norwegian Cervical Cancer Screening Programme (NCCSP) has not been assessed previously.Most GPs did not find it particularly challenging to keep up with changes in the NCCSP regardless of whether they belonged to an area of HPV-based or cytology-based screening.The follow-up of patients with an abnormal test result was one of the main challenges reported by the GPs.
... 23 We selected the best-fitting natural history parameter set for the base-case analysis, prioritized to fit HPV type distribution in Norway, 5 and the top 10 best-fitting natural history parameter sets were simulated to capture uncertainty in the calibrated parameters for selected scenarios. 26 We assumed vaccine efficacy of 100% against HPV-16/18 infections for 2vHPV and 4vHPV, [27][28][29] with lifelong duration of protection. We assumed that 4vHPV provided lifelong cross-protection against HPV infection of 89.3%, 47.8%, and 53.7% for HPV types 31, 33, and 45, respectively, based on a Norwegian analysis, 30 whereas we assumed the 2vHPV provided a higher crossprotection of 93.8%, 79.1%, and 82.6% for these types. ...
Article
Full-text available
Introduction. Delayed implementation of evidence-driven interventions has consequences that can be formally evaluated. In Norway, programs to prevent cervical cancer (CC)—screening and treatment of precancerous lesions and prophylactic vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection—have been implemented, but each encountered delays in policy implementation. To examine the effect of these delays, we project the outcomes that would have been achieved with timely implementation of two policy changes compared with the de facto delays in implementation (in Norway). Methods. We used a multimodeling approach that combined HPV transmission and cervical carcinogenesis to estimate the health outcomes and timeline for CC elimination associated with the implementation of two CC prevention policy decisions: a multicohort vaccination program of women up to age 26 years with bivalent vaccine in 2009 compared with actual “delayed” implementation in 2016, and a switch from cytology to primary HPV-based testing in 2015 compared with “delayed” rollout in 2020. Results. Timely implementation of two policy changes compared with current Norwegian prevention policy timeline could have averted approximately 970 additional cases (range of top 10 sets: 830–1060) and accelerated the CC elimination timeline by around 4 years (from 2039 to 2035). Conclusions. If delaying implementation of effective and cost-effective interventions is being considered, the decision-making process should include quantitative analyses on the effects of delays.
... Cancer detection occurs at either the local, regional, or distant stage (Campos et al., 2014). We selected the best-fitting natural history parameter set for the base-case analysis, prioritized to fit HPV type distribution in Norway (Appendix A), and the top ten best-fitting natural history parameter sets to capture uncertainty in the calibrated parameters for selected scenarios (Molden et al., 2016). Our base case assumed a two-dose schedule (three-dose schedule prior to 2017 and for women aged 15 years and older), vaccine efficacy of 100% against HPV-16/18 infections for all vaccines (FUTURE II Study Group, 2007;Paavonen et al., 2009;Naud et al., 2014), and 95% against other vaccine-targeted types in 9vHPV (Joura et al., 2015;Petrosky et al., 2015). ...
Article
Full-text available
Following the global call for action by the World Health Organization to eliminate cervical cancer (CC), we evaluated how each CC policy decision in Norway influenced the timing of CC elimination, and whether introducing nonavalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine would accelerate elimination timing and be cost-effective. We used a multi-modeling approach that captured HPV transmission and cervical carcinogenesis to estimate the CC incidence associated with six past and future CC prevention policy decisions compared with a pre-vaccination scenario involving 3-yearly cytology-based screening. Scenarios examined the introduction of routine HPV vaccination of 12-year-old girls with quadrivalent vaccine in 2009, a temporary catch-up program for females aged up to 26 years in 2016–2018 with bivalent vaccine, the universal switch to bivalent vaccine in 2017, expansion to include 12-year-old boys in 2018, the switch from cytology- to HPV-based screening for women aged 34–69 in 2020, and the potential switch to nonavalent vaccine in 2021. Introducing routine female vaccination in 2009 enabled elimination to be achieved by 2056 and prevented 17,300 cases. Cumulatively, subsequent policy decisions accelerated elimination to 2039. According to our modeling assumptions, switching to the nonavalent vaccine would not be considered ‘good value for money’ at relevant cost-effectiveness thresholds in Norway unless the incremental cost was 19perdoseorless(range:19 per dose or less (range: 17–24) compared to the bivalent vaccine. CC control policies implemented over the last decade in Norway may have accelerated the timeframe to elimination by more than 17 years and prevented over 23,800 cases by 2110.
... HPV-86 and 74 sequenced in this study are very rare. Their prevalence has been reported by only limited studies [71][72][73]. The two HPV-86 (isolates NGSk241-86 and NGSk277-86) clustered differently on the phylogenetic tree. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background Persistent infections with high-risk genital Human papillomavirus (HPV) especially types 16 and 18, are associated with cervical cancer. However, distribution of HPV types varies greatly across geographical regions and the available vaccines target only few types. This study was designed to determine the HPV types circulating in Southwestern Nigeria, thereby providing necessary information for effective control of the virus. Methods Endocervical swab samples were collected from a total of 295 consenting women attending routine cervical cancer screening, STI clinics and community-based outreach programme. Viral DNA was extracted from the samples and the consensus region of the HPV DNA was amplified by PCR using GP-E6/E7 primers. Type-specific nested multiplex PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to genotype the HPV isolates. Results In this study, 51 (17.3%) individuals were positive for HPV DNA using consensus primers that target the E6/E7 genes but only 48 (16.3%) were genotyped. A total of 15 HPV types (HPV-6, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 42, 43, 44, 52, 58, 66, 74, 81, 86) were detected, with HPV-31 being the most predominant (32.8%), followed by HPV-35 (17.2%) and HPV-16 (15.5%). Two rare HPV types; 74 and 86 were also detected. The HPV-74 isolate had three nucleotide (CCT) insertions at E7 gene that translated into amino acid proline. Highest nucleotide substitutions (n = 32) were found in HPV-44 genotype. Among positive individuals, 20.8% had dual infections and 86.2% had High-risk HPV types. Conclusions Multiple Human papillomavirus types co-circulated in the study. Most of the circulating Human papillomavirus are high-risk type with type 31 being the most predominant. Although the implication of HPV-74 with proline insertion detected for the first time is unknown, it may have effect on the transformation potential of the virus. Polyvalent HPV vaccine will be more effective for the infection control in Nigeria.
... In our series one or more HPV subtypes were found in 44% (8/18) patients with CHH. Two of our patients with HPV were under 25 years of age, and the prevalence in this age-group is known to be higher [20]. However, spontaneous recovery of HPV infection is more common in the young age group. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background Patients with cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH), a rare metaphyseal chondrodysplasia, manifest severe growth failure, variable immunodeficiency and increased risk of malignancies. The impact of CHH on gynecologic and reproductive health is unknown. Vulnerability to genital infections may predispose CHH patients to prolonged human papillomavirus (HPV) infections potentially leading to cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer. Methods We carried out gynecologic evaluation, pelvic ultrasound and laboratory assessment in 19 women with genetically confirmed CHH. All patients were clinically examined and retrospective data were collected from hospital records. Results The women ranged in age from 19.2 to 70.8 years (median 40.8 years) and in height from 103 to 150 cm (median 123 cm). All women had undergone normal pubertal development as assessed by breast development according to Tanner scale and by age of menarche (mean 12.5 yrs., range 11–14 yrs). Despite significant short stature and potentially small pelvic diameters, a well-developed uterus with fairly normal size and shape was found by pelvic ultrasound in most of the patients. Ovarian follicle reserve, assessed by ultrasound was normal in relation to age in all premenopausal women it could be assessed (12 cases). Anti-Müllerian hormone was normal in relation to age in 17 women (89%). HPV was detected in 44% (8/18) and three women carried more than one HPV serotype; findings did not associate with immunological parameters. Three patients had a concurrent cell atypia in Pap smear. Conclusions Pubertal development, reproductive hormones and ovarian structure and function were usually normal in women with CHH suggesting fairly normal reproductive health. However, the immunodeficiency characteristic to CHH may predispose the patients to HPV infections. High prevalence of HPV infections detected in this series highlights the importance of careful gynecologic follow up of these patients.
Article
Full-text available
Objective To determine the accuracy of testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in urine in detecting cervical HPV in sexually active women. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources Searches of electronic databases from inception until December 2013, checks of reference lists, manual searches of recent issues of relevant journals, and contact with experts. Eligibility criteria Test accuracy studies in sexually active women that compared detection of urine HPV DNA with detection of cervical HPV DNA. Data extraction and synthesis Data relating to patient characteristics, study context, risk of bias, and test accuracy. 2×2 tables were constructed and synthesised by bivariate mixed effects meta-analysis. Results 16 articles reporting on 14 studies (1443 women) were eligible for meta-analysis. Most used commercial polymerase chain reaction methods on first void urine samples. Urine detection of any HPV had a pooled sensitivity of 87% (95% confidence interval 78% to 92%) and specificity of 94% (95% confidence interval 82% to 98%). Urine detection of high risk HPV had a pooled sensitivity of 77% (68% to 84%) and specificity of 88% (58% to 97%). Urine detection of HPV 16 and 18 had a pooled sensitivity of 73% (56% to 86%) and specificity of 98% (91% to 100%). Metaregression revealed an increase in sensitivity when urine samples were collected as first void compared with random or midstream (P=0.004). Limitations The major limitations of this review are the lack of a strictly uniform method for the detection of HPV in urine and the variation in accuracy between individual studies. Conclusions Testing urine for HPV seems to have good accuracy for the detection of cervical HPV, and testing first void urine samples is more accurate than random or midstream sampling. When cervical HPV detection is considered difficult in particular subgroups, urine testing should be regarded as an acceptable alternative.
Article
Full-text available
HPV vaccination is expected to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. The greatest and the earliest health gains will be ensured by high vaccine coverage among all susceptible people. The high costs and the risk of a reduced cost/effectiveness ratio in sexually active girls still represent the main obstacles for a more widespread use of HPV vaccination in many countries. Data on the rate, risk factors, and HPV types in sexually active women could provide information for the evaluation of vaccination policies extended to broader age cohorts. Sexually active women aged 13–26 years enrolled in an Italian cohort study were screened for cervical HPV infections; HPV-DNA positive samples were genotyped by InnoLipa HPV Genotyping Extra or by RFLP genotype analysis. Among the 796 women meeting the inclusion criteria, 10.80% (95% CI 8.65–12.96) were HPV-DNA infected. Age >18 years, lifetime sexual partners >1, and history of STIs were associated to higher risk of HPV infection in the multivariable models adjusted for age, lifetime sexual partners, and time of sexual exposure. The global prevalence of the four HPV vaccine-types was 3.02% (95% CI 1.83–4.20) and the cumulative probability of infection from at least one vaccine-type was 12.82% in 26-years-old women and 0.78% in 18-years-old women. Our data confirm most of the previously reported findings on the risk factors for HPV infections. The low prevalence of the HPV vaccine-types found may be useful for the evaluation of the cost/efficacy and the cost/effectiveness of broader immunization programs beyond the 12-years-old cohort.
Article
Full-text available
Estimation of pre-immunisation prevalence of HPV and distribution of HPV types is fundamental to understanding the subsequent impact of HPV vaccination. We describe the type specific prevalence of HPV in females aged 20--21 in Scotland who attended or defaulted from cervical screening using three specimen types; from attenders liquid based cytology and from defaulters urine or self-taken swabs. Residual liquid based cytology samples (n = 2148), collected from women aged 20--21 attending for their first smear were genotyped for HPV. A sample (n = 709) from women who had defaulted from screening was also made available for HPV testing through the use of postal testing kits (either urine samples (n = 378) or self-taken swabs (n = 331)). Estimates of prevalence weighted by deprivation, and for the postal testing kit, also by reminder status and specimen type were calculated for each HPV type. The distribution of HPV types were compared between specimen types and the occurrence of multiple high-risk infections examined. The influence of demographic factors on high-risk HPV positivity and multiple infections was examined via logistic regression. The prevalence of any HPV in young women aged 20--21 was 32.2% for urine, 39.5% for self-taken swab, and 49.4% for LBC specimens. Infection with vaccine specific types (HPV 16, 18) or those associated with cross-protection (HPV 31, 33, 45, 51) was common. Individuals were more likely to test positive for high-risk HPV if they resided in an area of high deprivation or in a rural area. The overall distribution of HPV types did not vary between defaulters and attenders. Multiple infections occurred in 48.1% of high-risk HPV positive individuals. Excluding vaccine types the most common pairing was HPV 56 and 66. Understanding of the pre-immunisation prevalence of HPV in young women puts Scotland in a prime position to assess the early effect of vaccination as the first highly vaccinated cohorts of individuals enter the screening programme. Differences in results with different specimen types must be taken into account when monitoring the impact of vaccination programmes.
Article
Full-text available
The introduction of an HPV immunisation programme in England should result in a significant reduction in the prevalence of vaccine type infections in young women. Here we describe type-specific HPV prevalence in three samples of the young female population in England, prior to the beginning of mass immunisation in 2008. Residual vulva-vaginal swab samples from females aged under 25 years undergoing chlamydia testing as part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) or Prevention of Pelvic Infection (POPI) trial were collected from sites across England, together with available demographic and sexual behaviour data. Residual samples were screened for HPV infection using the Hybrid Capture 2 (hc2) HPV DNA Test, including the high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR) probes. Hc2 positive samples were genotyped using the Roche Linear Array (LA) HPV Genotyping Test. A total of 3829 samples were included: 2369 from 16 to 24 year old NCSP participants, 275 from 13 to 15 year old NCSP participants and 1185 from 16 to 24 year old POPI participants. Variations in HPV prevalence between and within the different samples followed a pattern largely consistent with differences in sexual behaviour. The prevalence of total HR HPV infection, of HPV 16 and/or 18 (16/18) infection and of five HR HPV types closely related to HPV 16/18 (HPV 31, 33, 45, 52 or 58) amongst 16-24 year old NCSP participants was 35% (95% CI 33-37%), 18% (95% CI 16-19%), and 16% (95% CI 14-18%), respectively. Risk of HR HPV infection increased with age during the teen years and was higher in women who reported two or more sexual partners in the last year and in women with chlamydia infection. Approximately half of women with HPV 16/18 infection also had another non-vaccine HR HPV type present. Prior to HPV immunisation, there was a high prevalence of HPV infections in the lower genital tract of young, sexually active females in England. The overall, type-specific, and multiple infection prevalence closely reflected age and sexual activity. These data provide a baseline against which the early impact of HPV immunisation on the prevalence of HPV 16/18 and closely related types in young women can be measured, in order to inform immunisation and cervical screening policies.
Article
Background: Organized human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination was introduced in Sweden in 2012. On-demand vaccination was in effect from 2006 to 2011. We followed the HPV prevalences in Southern Sweden from 2008 to 2013. Methods: Consecutive, anonymized samples from the Chlamydia trachomatis screening were analyzed for HPV DNA for two low-risk types and 14 high-risk types using PCR with genotyping using mass spectrometry. We analyzed 44,146 samples in 2008, 5,224 in 2012, and 5,815 in 2013. Results: Registry-determined HPV vaccination coverages of the population in Southern Sweden increased mainly among 13- to 22-year-old women. Most analyzed samples contained genital swabs from women and the HPV6 prevalence in these samples decreased from 7.0% in 2008 to 4.2% in 2013 [−40.0%; P < 0.0005 (χ2 test)]. HPV16 decreased from 14.9% to 8.7% (−41.6%; P < 0.0005) and HPV18 decreased from 7.9% to 4.3% (−45.6%; P < 0.0005) among 13- to 22-year-old women. There were only small changes in vaccination coverage among 23- to 40-year-old women. In this age group, HPV18 decreased marginally (−19.6%; P = 0.04) and there were no significant changes for HPV6 or HPV16. Two nonvaccine HPV types (HPV52 and HPV56) were increased among 13- to 22-year-old women, both in 2012 and 2013. Conclusions: A major reduction of HPV6, 16, and 18 prevalences is seen in the age groups with a concomitant increase in HPV vaccination coverage. The minor changes seen for nonvaccine types will require further investigation. Impact: Monitoring of type-specific HPV prevalences may detect early effects of HPV vaccination. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(12); 2757–64. ©2014 AACR.
Article
Assessment of the prevaccination type-specific prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the general population is important for the prediction of the impact of HPV vaccination. We collected consecutively residual specimens from liquid-based cytology samples from 40,382 women from the general population in Copenhagen, Denmark, during 2002-2005. All samples were tested for high-risk HPV using the Hybrid Capture 2 technique, and genotyping was done using LiPa (Innogenetics). Through linkage with the Pathology Data Bank, we obtained information on the cytology result, and histology if any, on all women. The participants were 14-95 years of age (median age 37 years) at enrollment. The overall prevalence of HR HPV was 20.6 % ranging from 46.0 % in 20-23-year-old women to 5.7 % in women 65 years or older. Independently of cytology/histology, HPV16 was the most prevalent type. For virtually all HPV types, the occurrence of CIN3+ was higher when the specific HPV type was present together with HPV16 than it was together with other high-risk HPV types than HPV16 or if the HPV type occurred as a single infection. The prevalence of HPV16 and/or HPV18 was 74 % in cervical cancer and the corresponding prevalence of HPV16/18/31/33/45/52/58 was 89 %. This study forms a valuable starting point for monitoring the effect of HPV vaccination in Denmark. In addition, the particular carcinogenic role of HPV16 and 18 is confirmed and may support a role of genotyping for HPV16 and 18 in cervical cancer screening.
Article
Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing has been proposed as a means of replacing or supporting conventional cervical screening (Pap test). However, both methods require the collection of cervical samples. Urine sample is easier and more acceptable to collect and could be helpful in facilitating cervical cancer screening. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of urine testing compared to conventional cervical smear testing using a PCR-based method with a new, designed specifically primer set. Paired cervical and first voided urine samples collected from 107 women infected with HIV were subjected to HPV-DNA detection and genotyping using a PCR-based assay and a restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) were calculated using the McNemar's test for differences. Concordance between tests was assessed using the Cohen's unweighted Kappa (k). HPV DNA was detected in 64.5% (95% CI: 55.1-73.1%) of both cytobrush and urine samples. High concordance rates of HPV-DNA detection (k = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.90-1.0) and of high risk-clade and low-risk genotyping in paired samples (k = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67-0.92 and k = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.60-0.88, respectively) were observed. HPV-DNA detection in urine versus cervix testing revealed a sensitivity of 98.6% (95% CI: 93.1-99.9%) and a specificity of 97.4% (95% CI: 87.7-99.9%), with a very high NPV (97.4%; 95% CI: 87.7-99.9%). The PCR-based assay utilized in this study proved highly sensitive and specific for HPV-DNA detection and genotyping in urine samples. These data suggest that a urine-based assay would be a suitable and effective tool for epidemiological surveillance and, most of all, screening programs. J. Med. Virol. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Article
Introduction: Monitoring the prevalence of type-specific HPV-DNA infections before and shortly after introduction of routine HPV vaccination offers the opportunity to evaluate early effects of the vaccination program. With this aim a cohort study was set up of 14- to 16-year-old girls eligible for HPV vaccination in the Netherlands. Annually, HPV-DNA and antibody status in vaginal self-samples and in serum respectively, will be studied among vaccinated (58%) and unvaccinated girls (42%). Here we present baseline data on vaginal HPV-DNA status in relation to serum antibodies. Methods: The 1800 enrolled girls filled out an internet-based questionnaire and provided a vaginal self-sample for genotype specific HPV-DNA detection using SPF(10) PCR amplification and reverse line probe hybridization. Furthermore, 64% of the girls provided a blood sample for HPV antibody analysis. IgG antibodies against virus-like particles were determined for 7 HPV genotypes. Results: At baseline, type-specific HPV-DNA was detected in 4.4% (n = 79) of the 1800 girls: 2.7% (n = 49) concerned a high risk HPV type (hrHPV-DNA). The three most common types were HPV type 16, 18 and 51 (40%). Out of the hrHPV-DNA positive girls, 32% was seropositive vs. 12% in HPV-DNA negative girls (p<0.001). Risk factors independently associated with hrHPV-DNA infection among the sexually active girls were age >15 years vs. 14-15 years (OR = 2.6 (1.2-5.9)), age of sexual debut <14 vs. above 14 years (OR = 3.0 (1.1-8.2)), total number of lifetime partners above two vs. less than two partners (OR = 3.2 (1.3-8.0)) and age of partner >17 vs. under 17 years (OR = 4.2 (1.5-13.0)). Conclusion: A low hrHPV-DNA prevalence was found in the adolescent girls. The observed vs. expected age-related increase in HPV-DNA prevalence in this cohort in the coming years (with increased sexual activity) will provide understanding of the effect of HPV vaccination. Furthermore, this cohort study will offer the opportunity to improve knowledge of antibody responses following natural infection and vaccination.