Schistosome infection is associated with high-risk human papillomavirus persistence, together with altered cervicovaginal microbiota

Author(s):
Mukerebe, C.; Cordeiro, A.A.; Aristide, C.; Colombe, S.; Bullington, B.W.; Kalluvya, S.; Dam, G.J. van (0000-0003-3773-0819); Dood, C.J. de; Corstjens, P.L.A.M. (0000-0002-0004-0526); Maganga, J.K.; Changalucha, J.M.; Namkinga, L.A.; Makene, V.A.; Lee, M.H.; Downs, J.A.
Published
2025
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

Abstract

Schistosoma haematobium infection may impair female genital mucosal antiviral defense. We sought to determine whether women with S. haematobium infection had higher odds of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) persistence, a prerequisite to cervical cancer. We also examined cervicovaginal dysbiosis, which has been linked to HR-HPV persistence and schistosome infection. In 96 Tanzanian women with baseline and 9- to 12-month follow-up samples, we performed HPV genotyping, schistosome antigen quantification, and 16S rRNA sequencing. Both S. haematobium (odds ratio: 4.7 [1.3-16.5], P = .017) and Gardnerella-dominant microbiome (P = .049) were associated with HR-HPV persistence, suggesting these factors may contribute to high cervical cancer rates in Africa.This study demonstrates increased odds of persistent high-risk human papillomavirus infection in the cervix of women in Tanzania who had schistosome infection or altered cervicovaginal microbiota, suggesting an elevated risk of cervical cancer in areas where these infections are endemic.

S. haematobiumhigh-risk human papillomaviruscervicovaginal dysbiosis
Date issued
2025-09-25
Language
English
Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
Is part of
The Journal of Infectious Diseases (2025), Vol. 233, no. 2, p. 375-380
hdl
1887/4297890
doi
10.1093/infdis/jiaf447