Intervirology
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In Zimbabwe, cervical cancer is screened through cytology and visual inspection with acetic acid and cervicography (VIAC). The effectiveness of these methods can be increased if complemented by a human papillomavirus DNA detection tool since most cervical cancer cases are caused by persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) genotypes. Moreover, the possibility of multiple-genotype HR-HPV infections warrants the need for HPV detection tools with the capacity to detect both single and multiple infections. The aim of this study was to detect HR-HPV genotypes (HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 45, 51, 52, 56, and 58), using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in stored cervicovaginal swabs from both HIV-positive and HIV-negative women reporting for routine cervical cancer screening. ⋯ Multiplex PCR can detect HR-HPV genotypes that are common in Zimbabwe and could be used to detect HR-HPV genotypes from women attending cervical cancer screening programs at the Parirenyatwa VIAC clinic in Harare.
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The incidence of mixed hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype infection is variable, and a few reports exist regarding the efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) therapy for mixed genotype. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of mixed genotype and its impact on the virologic response to DAA therapy. ⋯ Mixed genotype was rare, and hence the impact of mixed genotype on treatment outcome with DAA therapy is expected to be minimal.