Analytical chemistry profiles Sudanese HPV

Analytical chemistry based on gel electrophoresis has allowed the human papilloma virus (HPV) to be profiled in a number of Sudanese women.

HPV is important as a viral risk factor for cervical cancer, as well as penile, vaginal and anal cancers in both men and women.

But in Sudan, little is known about the link between HPV and cervical abnormalities, according to a team writing in Infectious Agents and Cancer.

Now 135 samples obtained from Omdurman Military Hospital between March 2003 and April 2004 have been analysed in order to learn which genotypes of HPV are most prevalent.

The analytical chemistry reveals a unique distribution of HPV genotypes unlike those found in other countries of the world.

A single participant was found to have a mixed infection of two high-risk HPV types, numbered 16 and 58.

One other had a mixture of low-risk types 40 and 42, while two more had types 42 and 58 of the virus apparent.