HPV infection effect on the clinical course of chronic cervicitis

Abstract

The aim is to evaluate the effect of HPV infection on the development and formation of precancerous transformation of stratified cervical epithelium in patients for 3 years in the absence of drug, physiotherapeutic, or surgical treatment of the lesion.
Patients and methods. The trial was conducted among 71 women of reproductive age 25–45 years old who were previously diagnosed with chronic cervicitis disease lasting for 3 to 7 years: the main group included 47 patients who at the time of the trial were diagnosed with HPV infection of highly carcinogenic types; the comparison group consisted of 24 women in whom negative indicators were found according to the results of PCR diagnostics of HPV infection of a high carcinogenic risk, but whose cytological results indicate signs of papillomavirus infection. All patients underwent comprehensive examination, which included general clinical methods: analysis of anamnestic and epidemiological data, general and gynecological examination. Special methods were used: advanced colposcopy, PCR method for establishing highly oncogenic types of HPV (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59), bacterioscopic testing of secretions from the cervical canal and posterior vaginal fornix, when necessary — biopsy. All patients were offered dynamic observation for 36 months.
Results. The most common types of HPV that cause the development of chronic cervicitis are types 16, 18, 31, 33, 58. HPV-associated chronic cervicitis is often accompanied by atypical colposcopic picture. Infections with a chronic course and conditionally pathogenic microflora lead to progression of abnormal colposcopic picture.
Conclusions. Women diagnosed with HPV infection of highly oncogenic types should consult a doctor for colposcopy once every 6 months, which will allow for timely detection of pathological changes in the cervical epthelium and prevent serious cervical pathological processes.
The trial was carried out in accordance with the principles of WMA Declaration of Helsinki. The trial protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the institutions indicated in the paper. The informed consent of women was obtained for the research.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.