A study led by members of Michigan State University’s Global Health Institute (GHI) and students from the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) has found high rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) among women in two regions of Peru, underscoring the need for expanded vaccination and targeted screening programs. The abstract for the study was recently published in the Infectious Diseases Society of America's Open Forum Journal, a prestigious academic publication covering global infectious disease research.
GHI Researcher Dr. Ruben Kenny Briceno, along with MSUCOM students Lauren Jernstadt, Neysa Miller, Olivia Slewa, Giovanna Russano, Elizabeth Lossada-Soto and Coral Chen conducted the study in the regions of La Libertad and Loreto. The team analyzed cervical cell samples from 229 women, aged 13 to 60, who were undergoing routine screenings.
The findings show an overall HPV prevalence of 31 percent, which is significantly higher than Peru’s national average. Loreto reported the highest rate at 36 percent, compared to 26 percent in La Libertad. High-risk HPV types, including 16, 18 and 45, were among the most common strains detected.
HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, which remains the second most common cancer-related death among Peruvian women. While Peru’s vaccination program is expanding, coverage remains uneven, and the commonly used Gardasil 4 vaccine may not provide protection against all HPV strains prevalent in the country.
“These results highlight the urgent need for a national program that focuses on high-risk populations,” the authors said. “Targeted screening and broader vaccine coverage could save lives.”
With an emphasis on increasing public health initiatives to reduce disparities in access to preventive care, the researchers hope their findings can help improve infectious disease combatance and increase positive treatment outcomes in underserved regions.