• Manar Mousa, Sawsan S Al-Amri, Afnan A Degnah, Ahmed M Tolah, Hanin H Abduljabbar, Ayman M Oraif, Hassan S Abduljabbar, Ahmed A Mirza, Esam I Azhar, and Anwar M Hashem.
• From the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
• Ann Saudi Med. 2019 Nov 1; 39 (6): 403-409.

BackgroundHuman papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small, non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses that consist of more than 200 genotypes. Low-risk genotypes are associated with warts or benign lesions, whereas high-risk genotypes are usually associated with malignancies and cancers including cervical cancer. However, the real prevalence and incidence of HPV in Saudi Arabia may be understated due to a lack of comprehensive data reporting.ObjectivesDetermine the positivity rate of HPV in men and women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.DesignCross-sectional.SettingTertiary care center in Jeddah.Subjects And MethodsSelf-collected vaginal swab samples were obtained from females attending the gynecological clinic in the period between October 2017 and April 2018 at a tertiary care center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. PCR-positive HPV samples were sequenced to determine genotype. Additionally, serum samples were collected from healthy male and female blood donors and screened for HPV IgG antibodies by ELISA.Main Outcome MeasuresMolecular and serological positivity for HPV.Sample Size119 self-collected vaginal swabs from females at a gynecology clinic and 966 serum samples from healthy blood donors.ResultsOf the 119 tested vaginal swabs, 7 samples (5.9%) were positive for HPV DNA. Several genotypes were identified. Most of the positive samples were from Saudi females in the age range of 31-50 years seeking care for infertility. Of the 966 serum samples, only 16 samples (1.7%) were positive for HPV IgG antibodies.ConclusionWhile the prevalence of HPV in men and women in our sample from the western region of Saudi Arabia was low, our data clearly show that it is not uncommon among high-risk groups and people are still exposed to the risk of HPV infection. Most importantly, these data provide valuable information that could aid in enhancing national awareness about HPV and in introducing an HPV vaccination program.LimitationsSingle hospital and a convenience sample CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

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