Scientific Program

Abstract:

High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infections are responsible for 7.7% of cancers in developing countries, mainly cervical cancer. Several studies reveal the presence of numerous oncogenic HR-HPV genotypes worldwide, but the presence and distribution of these genotypes remains poorly known in Cameroon. The overall objective of this study was to ascertain HR-HPV genotypes circulating in Cameroon.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among non-vaccinated women in Cameroon. Detection of HR-HPV was performed by real-time PCR on cervico-vaginal swabs. Predictors of HR-HPV were determined following logistic regression analysis, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: we enrolled 364 women with a median age of 41 (34-50) years. The HR-HPV positivity rate was 21.43% (95%CI: 17.21-25.64). Compared with the negatives, the positives were younger (37 [30-47] vs. 42 [34-50], P=0.002) and had a higher proportion of smokers (54.5% vs. 45.5%, P=0.005) and of those who had had ≥2 sexual partners at a time in their lifetime (27.0% vs. 11.3%, P=0.001). Overall, 12 HR-HPV genotypes were identified. 26.98% women were co-infected with at least 2 HR-HPVs, including one case of a triple co-infection. As per circulating genotypes, potential vaccine effectiveness was 47% for the 4-valent and 70% for the 9-valent vaccine. Predictors of HR-HPV were young age (i.e >41years; aOR [95%CI]: 0.408[0.194-0.862]; p=0.018); smoking (aOR: 5.199 [1.314-20.575]; p=0.018) and having >3 sex partners (aOR: 2.335[1.133-4.811]; p=0.022).
Conclusion: Within the Cameroonian context, at least one out of five women is likely to be a HR-HPV carrier, especially among youth, smokers and those with multi-sexual partners. Importantly, HR-HPV infection is highly diversified, with vaccine efficacy ranging from about 47% (4-valent) to 70% (9-valent).

Audience Take Away Notes:

• The high rate of HR-HPV positivity
• Predictive factors for HR-HPV infection in our area
• The wide and high genetic diversity of HPV in sub-Saharan Africa
• The mismatch between circulating genotypes and available vaccines

Biography:

I am Dr. Michel Carlos Tommo Tchouaket, titular of PhD in Clinical Biology with Virology option obtained at the School of Health Sciences of the Catholic University of Central Africa, where I defended my thesis on 03 November 2023 with honours and the congratulations of the jury on the theme "Genetic diversity of human papilloma virus with high oncogenic risk and their relationship with HIV infection in Cameroonian women." I’m looking for a post-doctoral position in a laboratory where I can learn the genome sequencing technique so that I can pursue the other aspects of my work.