investigating ki67 and p16 positivity pattern in human papillomavirus 16 and 18 versus other high-risk human papillomaviruses

Objectives: the expression of ki67 and p16 has been used for the diagnosis of human papillomavirus (hpv) 16 and 18; however, limited research has been conducted on the comparison with other high-risk hpvs (hr-hpvs) in this respect. accordingly, this study compares the positivity pattern of ki67 and p16 in hpv16/18 with other hr-hpvs. methods: this descriptive study included women with positive screening test (pap smear test) and positive hr-hpv referred to shahid mohammadi hospital, bandar abbas, iran, from 2018-2019 for colposcopy and cervical biopsy. biopsy specimens were stained for ki67 and p16. data on age, education, and menopause status were also recorded.results: of the 80 women included in this study with a mean age of 33.16±8.55 years, 48.8% had positive hpv16/18, and 51.2% were positive for other hr-hpvs. the positivity pattern of ki67 and the type of hr-hpv (hpv16/18 vs other hr-hpvs) were significantly correlated (p=0.006). full-thickness positive ki67 was only observed in hpv16/18 positive specimens. positive ki67 in the upper and middle thirds were also significantly more frequent with hpv16/18. the correlation between positive ki67 and hr-hpvs remained significant in women aged >30 years, with university education, and of childbearing age. discussion: the positivity pattern of ki67 is significantly correlated with hpv16/18, and age, education, and menopause status are the influential factors. meanwhile, the strongly positive p16 pattern was more frequent in hpv16/18 compared to other hr-hpvs; however, the relationship between the positivity pattern of p16 and the type of hr-hpv was not significant.