Multiple Papillomavirus Infection and Size of Colposcopic Lesions among Women with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between the size of cervical lesions as detected by colposcopy and multiple human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in subjects with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Methods A case series of 898 subjects with CIN diagnosed by histopathology and infected by high-risk HPV. Human papillomavirus genotypes were identified using the INNO-LIPA genotyping system. Results The rates of CIN 1, CIN 2, and CIN 3+ lesions were 53.1% (477/898), 14.1% (127/898), and 32.7% (294/898), respectively. Among CIN lesions diagnosed by loop electrosurgical excision procedure or by cold-knife conization, the rates of multiple as compared with single HPV infections increased from 31.7% (59/186) in lesions covering 0% to 25% of the cervix to 39.2% (40/102), 41.9% (13/31), and 48.9% (45/92) in those covering 26% to 50%, 51% to 75%, and more than 75% of the cervix, respectively (χ² for trend = 7.9; p =.005). In ordered logistic regression, after correction for confounders, odds ratios (ORs) of larger cervical lesions were higher in multiple as compared with single infections (OR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.24-2.66; p =.002). This association was confirmed among subjects infected by HPV 16 (OR = 2.45; 95% CI = 1.14-5.26; p =.02) and in CIN 3+ lesions (OR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.23-4.80; p =.01). Conclusions Multiple high-risk HPV infection is associated with larger cervical lesions as detected by colposcopy. This association was confirmed among subjects infected by HPV 16 and in CIN 3+ lesions.