Objective: The goal of this cross-sectional laboratory-based study is to investigate the association between Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in cervical samples in Flanders. Setting: Liquid-based cervical cytology samples from unselected women, covering a population of 14–97 years of age (n = 62,636), and from professional sex workers of the region of Antwerp (n = 308), all residents of Flanders (North Belgium) and participating in cervical cancer screening, were assessed for the presence of TV and HPV. Methods: During 7 months in 2008, 62,944 consecutive liquid-based cytology cervical cancer screening samples were assessed for cytological abnormalities. All samples were tested by real-time quantitative PCR for the presence of TV as well as for low-risk HPV (lrHPV) types 6, 11, 53, 66 and 67, and high-risk HPV (hrHPV) types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 68. Association between TV and HPV infections with age, geographic area and occurrence of cytologic lesions were investigated. Results: The overall prevalence of TV in the general population in Flanders was 0.37%, with the highest prevalence in women aged 41–45 years (0.53%). HPV was detected in 15.1% of cervical samples and peaked in younger women of ages 21–25 years (26.8%). The prevalence of TV was higher in women with HPV infections as compared to women without HPV (0.61 vs. 0.33%, p < 0.0001). In women of suggestive foreign origin, TV prevalence was 4 times higher than in the probably autochthonous population (1.16 vs. 0.29%, p < 0.0001). Working in the sex industry had an increased risk of both HPV and TV when compared to other women (OR 8.6, 95% CI 4.4–16.9, p < 0.0001) and a higher rate of TV was also observed in urban regions, compared to rural areas (OR 1.7 (1.3–2.2), p = 0.0002). Conclusion: The prevalence of TV in Flanders is lower compared to data from the literature, whereas the prevalence of HPV infection is similar to that reported in other European countries with similar test systems. Both TV and HPV are sexually transmitted infections, but our prevalence data suggest that the epidemiology of HPV and TV are different in Flanders. Highest HPV prevalence is found in young women whereas TV is more frequent in older women. Although some epidemiological peculiarities of the society, such as promiscuity and import from overseas countries, can possibly account for the differences in epidemiology, the exact reasons remain to be elucidated in further studies.

Keywords:
Cervical cancer screening, BD SurePath™, Liquid-based cytology
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel
2010
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.