The association of Chlamydia trachomatis and human papillomavirus co-infection with abnormal cervical cytology among women in south of Morocco. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferrera, Laila; Rogua, Hanane; El Mansouri, Nezha; Kassidi, Farid; Aksim, Mohamed; El Farouqi, Abdallah; Chouham, Said; Nejmeddine, Mohamed
• Is Part Of: Microbial pathogenesis. Volume 175(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: HPV -- Chlamydia trachomatis -- Co-infection -- Cervical abnormalities; ASCUS Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance -- CT Chlamydia trachomatis -- DNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid -- HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus -- HPV Human papillomavirus -- HSIL High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions -- IARC International Agency for Research on Cancer -- LSIL Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions -- PBS Phosphate buffered saline -- PCR Polymerase chain reaction -- STIs Sexually transmitted infections; Pathogenic microorganisms -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- parasitology -- Periodicals; Micro-organismes pathogènes -- Périodiques; Pathologie moléculaire -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.105971
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0882-4010

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: Evidence indicates that human papillomavirus (HPV) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) co-infection increases the risk of developing cervical pathogenesis. This study aims to assess the prevalence and possible risk factors of CT and HPV/CT co-infection in women from South of Morocco with normal and abnormal cytology. Methods: Participants were recruited after signing an informed consent. Cervical samples were collected and analysed for the presence of HPV or CT. Detection of genomic DNA of both pathogens was performed by nested polymerase chain reaction. HPV genotypes defined by Sanger sequencing method. The association between demographic features and co-infection status was determined using a logistic regression model. A possible association between the presence of HPV and CT and cytological abnormality patterns was also investigated. Results: We recruited n = 438 women, aged between 18 and 86 years. Around 59% of participants underwent a pap smear test for the first-time. Genomic DNA of HPV, CT and HPV/CT co-infection was detected in 32.3%, 17.7%, and 13.4% of the total samples, respectively. The identified risk factors associated with CT infection were history of sexually transmitted infections and marital status. By contrast, only smoking was found to be associated with HPV/CT co-infection. Evidence showed that co-infection was associated with an increased risk of developing cervical abnormalities (OR 3.18, 95% CI 0.96–9.21; p = 0.040). Conclusion: HPV and CT rates were high among the studied population. Evidence suggests that HPV/CT co-infected women were more susceptible to developing abnormal cytology. Highlights: We detected a high rate of HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis infections in a population of women from South of Morocco. The majority of participants (59%) admitted to have had a pap smear test for the first time. Marital status and history of STIs were associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Smoking was a risk factor for Co-infection. Co-infection was associated with an increased risk of developing cervical abnormalities.