Association between HPV-16 and HPV-18 viral loads and severity of cervical pre-invasive lesions in women with and without HIV in Botswana - Report - MDSpire

Association between HPV-16 and HPV-18 viral loads and severity of cervical pre-invasive lesions in women with and without HIV in Botswana

  • By

  • Leabaneng Tawe

  • Pleasure Ramatlho

  • Siqi Zhang

  • Zackary Salem-Bango

  • Rebecca Ketlametswe

  • Daniel P. Morse

  • Doreen Ramogola-Masire

  • Erle S. Robertson

  • Giacomo M. Paganotti

  • Surbhi Grover

  • June 23, 2026

  • 0 min

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Correlation of HPV-16 and HPV-18 Viral Loads with Cervical Lesions in Botswana

Overview

This study investigates the relationship between HPV-16 and HPV-18 viral loads and the severity of cervical pre-invasive lesions in HIV-positive and HIV-negative women in Botswana.

Background

Cervical cancer remains a significant health issue globally, particularly in regions like Botswana where HIV prevalence is high. This study aims to clarify the association between HPV viral loads and lesion severity in the context of HIV co-infection.

Data Highlights

HPV TypeDetection RateAssociation with CIN
HPV-1633.94%Higher viral load linked to CIN III
HPV-1814.68%Higher viral load linked to CIN II
Co-infection2.75%N/A
HIV-positive70.6%No significant impact on viral load

Key Findings

  • HPV-16 was detected in 33.94% of patients, while HPV-18 was found in 14.68%.
  • Higher cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grades were associated with increased HPV-16 viral loads.
  • HPV-18 showed a variable pattern, with the highest viral load observed in CIN II.
  • The presence of HPV-16 and elevated viral load were significant risk factors for CIN III.
  • HIV status did not significantly impact the viral loads of HPV-16 or HPV-18.

Clinical Implications

The findings indicate that HPV-16 viral load may be a marker for assessing the severity of cervical lesions.

Conclusion

This study highlights the association of HPV-16 viral load with the severity of cervical lesions, while HPV-18 appears more associated with CIN II.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers | Association between HPV-16 and HPV-18 viral loads and severity of cervical pre-invasive lesions in women with and without HIV in Botswana
  2. The Journal of Infectious Diseases — Case-Control Study of Cervicovaginal β/γ–Human Papillomavirus Infection in Women With Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Its Relation to Incident Cervical Precancer
  3. Infection — The Incidence of Human Papillomavirus in Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia Among HIV Positive and Negative Individuals in a South African Cohort
  4. Open Forum Infectious Diseases — Worldwide Assessment of the Burden of HPV-Associated Noncervical Cancers in Individuals with HIV and AIDS and the Impact of Enhanced HPV Vaccination Rates: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Modeling Approach
  5. Frontiers in Immunology — HPV viral load predicts immune exhaustion and prognosis in cervical neoplasia
  6. Cervical cancer
  7. Frontiers | Association between HPV-16 and HPV-18 viral loads and severity of cervical pre-invasive lesions in women with and without HIV in Botswana

Original Source(s)

Association between HPV-16 and HPV-18 viral loads and severity of cervical pre-invasive lesions in women with and without HIV in Botswana

  • by Leabaneng Tawe, Pleasure Ramatlho, Siqi Zhang, Zackary Salem-Bango, Rebecca Ketlametswe, Daniel P. Morse, Doreen Ramogola-Masire, Erle S. Robertson, Giacomo M. Paganotti, Surbhi Grover

  • June 23, 2026

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