Co-Occurrence of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus and Herpesviruses Infections in Female Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Prospective One-Year Study

TL;DR

Female kidney transplant recipients have high rates of HPV and herpesvirus infections, with combined infections linked to higher HPV levels.

Contribution

First study to show co-occurrence and potential synergy between HR-HPV and HHVs in female kidney transplant recipients.

Findings

98% of KTRs had HPV DNA, compared to 38% of controls.

46% of KTRs had HR-HPV and HHV coinfections, with EBV and CMV linked to higher HPV viral loads.

All cervical intraepithelial neoplasia cases had combined HPV and HHV infections.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) face increased susceptibility to persistent viral infections due to prolonged immunosuppression. While high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection is known to be more prevalent in this population, little is known about the co-occurrence of HPV with human herpesviruses (HHVs) infection in the female genital tract. This study aimed to investigate the presence, dynamics, and potential interactions between HR-HPV and HHVs infections—including HSV-1, HSV-2, EBV, CMV, HHV-6, and HHV-7—in female KTRs during the first year after transplantation. Materials and Methods: A total of 39 female KTRs and 79 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Cervicovaginal swabs from recipients were obtained at three time points: two weeks, six months, and one year post-transplantation. HPV DNA was screened using PCR, followed by high-risk HPV genotyping and quantitative viral load assessment using two commercial PCR kits. HHVs were detected using a multiplex PCR assay. Results: HPV DNA was detected in 98% of the KTRs at least once during follow-up, which was significantly greater than in the controls (38%). HR-HPV was identified in 46% of the recipients over the study period, with the highest viral load at one year post-transplantation. HHVs were detected in 72% of the KTRs but not in 43% of the controls (p < 0.01), with EBV and CMV being the most common. Coinfection with HR-HPV and HHVs occurred in 46% of the recipients but not in the controls. Samples containing both EBV and CMV had significantly higher HR-HPV viral loads than samples with no HHVs or with single/other HHV combinations (p < 0.01). All cervical intraepithelial neoplasia patients were found to have combined HPV and HHV infection. Conclusions: Female KTRs present a high burden of both HR-HPV and herpesviruses infections, with increased HPV viral loads. These findings suggest a potential synergistic interaction between HR-HPV and herpesviruses in the immunosuppressed setting.

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