Association of Human Papillomavirus and Chlamydia trachomatis Coinfection with Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions and Cervical Cancer

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe aim of this review is to evaluate the association of human papillomavirus andChlamydia trachomatis coinfection with cervical intraepithelial lesions and cervical cancer.Recent FindingsSexually transmitted infections are admitted as one of the most common public health problems globally. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most frequent viral andChlamydia trachomatis is the most frequent bacterial sexually transmitted infections. Infection with HPV is considered as necessary but not sufficient for cervical carcinogenesis. HPV infections are generally transient and asymptomatic, but persistence of HPV DNA in uterine cervix causes cervical cancer and precursor lesions such as low- and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. Association between HPV andC. trachomatis coinfection was reported as a cofactor in cervical cancer development. Different researchers suggest a synergistic impact of HPV andC. trachomatis infections for all grades of cervical abnormalities. On the other hand, several reports found thatC. trachomatis infection was not associated with HPV infections and abnormal cervical cytology.SummaryExact conclusions could not be made for the association betweenC. trachomatis and HPV coinfections in cervical carcinogenesis. Screening and treatingC. trachomatis infections could decrease HPV persistence rates and improve disease control. Thus, it could decrease the risk of developing cervical intraepithelial lesions and malignancies.
Source: Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports - Category: OBGYN Source Type: research