Investigation of the Prevalence of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus, Human Herpesvirus-8, and Herpes Simplex Virus-2 in Cervical Biopsy Samples Using the Real-Time PCR Method.

Abstract

Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection is closely associated with the development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer. In recent years, the potential impact of viral co-infections on this process has also been investigated. This study investigated the presence of HR-HPV, HSV-1/2, and HHV-8 DNA in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) cervical biopsy samples, as well as their association with lesion severity. A total of 276 FFPE cervical tissue samples were evaluated. Viral DNA was detected by real-time PCR. The samples were histopathologically classified as normal/non-dysplastic, low-grade (LSIL), and high-grade (HSIL) lesions. HR-HPV DNA was detected in 112 samples (40.6%), with the highest prevalence observed in the 30-39 age group (51.2%). Among the HPV-positive cases, 46.5% (52/112) had single-type infections, 32.1% (36/112) had multiple-type infections, and 21.4% (24/112) were untypable. Together, these categories accounted for all HPV-positive samples. The most common genotype was HPV-16 (16.7%). HHV-8 and HSV-2 DNA were not detected. HSV-1 DNA was detected in only three non-dysplastic, HPV-negative cervical samples. In conclusion, HR-HPV DNA was detected in 40.6% of cervical biopsy samples and showed a significant association with increasing histological severity, highlighting its critical role in the progression of cervical lesions. Although the absence of HHV-8 and HSV-2 suggests a limited contribution of these viruses to cervical disease, the use of a single real-time PCR assay limits the ability to draw generalized conclusions regarding their clinical relevance. Further large-scale, multicenter studies employing both tissue-based and serological approaches are needed to validate these findings and to better understand the dynamics of viral co-infections in cervical disease.