Lingyan Sun Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China Li Li Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China Wenxin Xu Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China Cen Ma Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University

Keywords: Human papillomavirus, Vaginal microenvironment, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Cervical Cancer, Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Abstract Background: Evidence suggests the role of the vaginal microbiome and microenvironment in the immunity state. The human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is widely dependent on the healthy vaginal microenvironment. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the role of the vaginal microenvironment in the rate of high-risk HPV (hr-HPV) infection. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 512 women with hr-HPV positive (n=212) or negative (n=300) infection. The vaginal samples of women were examined regarding yeas and Gardnerella vaginalis infection. Also, Lactobacillus acidophilus, pH, and enzyme activity (such as catalase, proline aminopeptidase, and leucocyte esterase) were compared between the two groups. Also, the histopathological study was performed on the vaginal samples. Results: The higher rate of yeast and G. vaginalis infections as well as decreased L. acidophilus, were significantly observed in women with hr-HPV positive infection (P<0.001). Also, histopathological findings indicated that cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade I-III and cervical cancer lesions were markedly higher in hr-HPV positive group compared with control women. Conclusion: The hr-HPV infection was markedly correlated to vaginal microenvironments, and it could a risk factor for the elevation of the rate of high-grade cervical lesions.

How to Cite

Sun, L., Li, L., Xu, W., & Ma, C. (2023). The Immunomodulation Role of Vaginal Microenvironment on Human Papillomavirus Infection. Galen Medical Journal, 12, e2991. https://doi.org/10.31661/gmj.v12i.2991

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