Prevalence of HPV and Type Distribution in Southeast Asian Women Residing in Rhode Island

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of cervical high-risk HPV among Southeast Asian women and describe the distribution of the high-risk genotypes. Methods: SE Asian women (n=57) ages 18 years and older and residing in and around the vicinity of Providence, RI were enrolled. Women were recruited at community health centers and underwent thin-prep pap smears and high-risk HPV genotyping of the cervix. All pap smears were reviewed at Women & In-fants Hospital of Rhode Island by specialized gynecologic cytopathologists, and thin prep vials sent for HPV genotyping. Results: The median age of SE Asian participants was 38 years old (range 21-63). Fifteen (26%) were married and the majority were born outside of the United States. The majority had sexual partners born outside the US (60%). High-risk HPV was detected in 14 (25.0%) women with the most common genotypes being 51 (28.6%), 52 (21.4%), 56 (21.4%), and 59 (21.4%). Of interest, HPV 16 was only reported in one woman; none had HPV 18. Co-infection with more than one HPV genotype was seen in 6 (10.7 %) women. Conclusions: High-risk HPV is prevalent even among low risk SE Asian women residing in the north-east. However, HPV 16 was rarely identified and none of this cohort had evidence of HPV18 infection. These data demonstrate that HPV vaccination must take into account the heterogeneity of infections among different racial groups to aid in future vaccine development.