Herman Susanto

HPV Genotyping Linear Assay Test Comparison in Cervical Cancer Patients: Implications for HPV Prevalence and Molecular Epidemiology in a Limited-resource Area in Bandung, Indonesia

BACKGROUND Persistent infection with high risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) is strongly associated with cervical cancer. Normal cervical cells may also harbor hrHPV, and detection of early hrHPV infection may minimize risk of cervical cancer development. This study aimed to compare two commercial HPV genotyping assays that may affordable for early screening in a limited-resource setting in Bandung, Indonesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS DNA from cervical biopsies with histologically confirmed as squamous cell cervical cacinoma were HPV genotyped by Linear Assay 1 (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) or Linear Assay 2 (Digene HPV Genotyping RH Test, Qiagen Gaithersburg, MD). In a subset of samples of each group, HPV genotype results were then compared. RESULTS Of 28 samples genotyped by linear assay 1, 22 (78.6%) demonstrated multiple infections with HPV-16 and other hrHPV types 18, 45 and/or 52. In another set of 38 samples genotyped by linear assay 2, 28 (68.4%) were mostly single infections by hrHPV type 16 or 18. Interestingly, 4 samples that had been tested by both kits showed discordant results. CONCLUSIONS In a limited-resource area such as in Indonesia, country with a high prevalence of HPV infection a reliable cervical screening test in general population for early hrHPV detection is needed. Geographical variation in HPV genotyping result might have impacts for HPV prevalence and molecular epidemiology as the distribution in HPV genotypes should give clear information to assess the impact of HPV prophylactic vaccines.

Low Hemoglobin among Pregnant Women in Midwives Practice of Primary Health Care, Jatinangor, Indonesia: Iron Deficiency Anemia or β-Thalassemia Trait?

Low hemoglobin (Hb) or anemia is common among pregnant women in developing countries which may cause adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal deaths. Our study aimed to assess Hb level measured by midwives in primary health care facility at rural area of Jatinangor, Indonesia, and to explore whether the anemia was due to iron deficiency (IDA) or β-thalassemia trait (β-TT). Pregnant women (n = 105) had finger prick test for Hb level during a regular antenatal care examination from October to November 2016. Hb level by finger prick test was compared with venous blood, measured by complete blood count (CBC). Indices including MCV and MCH and indices of Shine & Lal, Mentzer, Srivastava, Engels & Frase, Ehsani, and Sirdah were analyzed to differentiate anemia due to IDA and anemia due to suspect β-TT. HbA2 was measured to confirm β-TT. Anemic pregnant women were found in 86.7% by finger prick test compared to 21.9% (n = 23) by CBC. The prevalence of β-TT in our study was 5.7%. Hb measurement among pregnant women in low resource area is highly important; however, finger prick test in this study showed a high frequency of anemia which may lead to iron oversupplementation. A standard CBC is encouraged; MCV and MCH would help midwives to identify β-TT.

Human Papillomavirus Genotypes Profile in Cervical Cancer Patients at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia

BACKGROUND As in other developing countries, cervical cancer is the most frequent gynecologic malignancy in Indonesia. Persistent high risk genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) that infect the cervical tissue have been established as the etiology of cervical cancer. This study aimed to explore the profile of cervical cancer patients and the infected HPV genotypes at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital-Bandung. MATERIALS AND METHODS During the year 2010, 554 cervical cancer patients were registered. In a subset of the patients during July-November 2010, 40 randomized fresh biopsies were tested for HPV genotype after obtained informed consent. The distribution of HPV genotypes and the association to risk factors were analysed. RESULTS The result showed that 62.5% of the tested biopsies were infected by multiple HPV infections, with HPV-16 found in most of the cervical cancer patients (90%). Marriage at age younger than 16 years old was statistically significant in relation to multiple HPV infection (p=0.003), but not parity more than three times (p=0.59). CONCLUSIONS Although high paritiy in our study was not associated with multiple HPV infection, good family planning programs and reproductive health education need to be emphasized in Indonesia as high parity and marriage at young age might increase the chance of cervical cancer development.