Human papillomavirus DNA in cervical lesions from Morocco and its implications for cancer control

• Published in: Clinical microbiology and infection Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 144 - 148
• Main Authors: Lalaoui, K., El Mzibri, M., Amrani, M., Belabbas, M.A., Lazo, P.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2003; Blackwell Science Ltd; Blackwell
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia - pathology; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia - virology; DNA, Viral - chemistry; DNA, Viral - genetics; Female; Female genital diseases; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Human papillomavirus; Humans; Medical sciences; Morocco; Papillomaviridae - classification; Papillomaviridae - genetics; Papillomaviridae - isolation & purification; Papillomavirus Infections - complications; Papillomavirus Infections - pathology; Papillomavirus Infections - virology; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Tropical medicine; Tumor Virus Infections - complications; Tumor Virus Infections - pathology; Tumor Virus Infections - virology; Tumors; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - pathology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - virology; Morocco; Africa; Human; Typing; Pathogenesis; Cervical smear; Papovaviridae; Malignant tumor; Female genital diseases; Papillomavirus; Prevention; Virus; Human papillomavirus; Microbiological investigation; DNA; Lesion; Uterine cervix diseases
• ISSN: 1198-743X; 1469-0691
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-0691.2003.00494.x

To determine the types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) in northern Morocco, information which is needed for the design and use of HPV vaccines, we have analysed 129 cervical biopsies from this region. In our study, 91 cases were HPV positive, 45 cases had HPV-16 DNA, and 20 cases had HPV-18 DNA. This distribution of virus type was similar in inflammatory cervical lesions and in invasive cervical carcinomas. In conclusion, the HPV type distribution in Morocco is similar to that in other African Mediterranean countries, where the proportion of HPV-18 cases is significantly higher than in Europe. Determination of virus—type distribution is essential for vaccination programs.