High prevalence of HPV and high levels of oxidative stress in asymptomatic mature women in the Amazon: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is a health issue in the Amazon region. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer. Oxidative stress has been shown to play a role in the HPV-associated carcinogenesis process. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of HPV infection and its correlation with oxidative stress biomarkers in women from Belém, Pará. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional pilot study involving 71 women conducted between March 2021 and March 2022. Endocervical samples were analyzed for HPV DNA using PCR, and the oxidative stress biomarkers malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were measured in blood samples. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software, version 21.0. RESULTS: The prevalence of HPV was 28.2% (20/71). Participants aged 39 to 48 years showed significantly higher levels of MDA (≥3.54 nmol/mL), with 34% exhibiting elevated levels (p-value = 0.036). HPV-positive women tended to have lower levels of GSH (p-value = 0.090). DISCUSSION: There is likely an imbalance between oxidative damage and antioxidant defense mechanisms in HPV pathogenesis; furthermore, low levels of the antioxidant GSH indicate that the studied population may be exposed to the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidative stress may play a role in HPV persistence and cervical carcinogenesis. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of sexually transmitted HPV infection and the presence of oxidative stress among women in the Brazilian Amazon may indicate a limited impact of cervical cancer prevention measures. Oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA and GSH) could potentially serve as low-cost diagnostic options, offering an alternative for resource-poor areas in the Brazilian Amazon.