The influence of different infectious agents and their association with human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical
carcinogenesis have not been completely elucidated. This study describes the association between cytological
changes in cervical epithelium and the detection of the most relevant aetiological agents of sexually transmitted
diseases. Samples collected from 169 patients were evaluated by conventional cytology followed by molecular analysis
to detect HPV DNA,
Chlamydia trachomatis
, herpes simplex virus 1 and 2,
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
,
Mycoplasma genitalium
,
Trichomonas vaginalis, and
Treponema pallidum
, besides genotyping for most common high-risk HPV.
An association between cytological lesions and different behavioural habits such as smoking and sedentariness was
observed. Intraepithelial lesions were also associated with HPV and
C. trachomatis detection. An association was
also found between both simple and multiple genotype infection and cytological changes. The investigation of HPV
and
C. trachomatis proved its importance and may be considered in the future for including in screening programs,
since these factors are linked to the early diagnosis of patients with precursor lesions of cervical cancer.
