Are Muslim women less susceptible to oncogenic human papillomavirus infection?
Duttagupta C; Sengupta S; Roy M; Sengupta D; Bhattacharya P; Laikangbam P; Roy S; Ghosh S; Das R Biochemistry Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, 203 B.T. Road, Calcutta 700-108, West Bengal, India. chandra@isical.ac.in Muslim women are known to have lower incidences of cervical cancer and/or human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Here we aim to determine any association that may be present between the oncogenic HPV16/18 infections and abnormal cytological lesions along with demographic and other attributes among Indian Muslim women (n = 478) and compare with the neighboring Hindus (n = 534) from a prospective cohort study. Agewise distribution of both subject-groups is similar. HPV16/18 infection is present in 9.6% Muslims and 7.5% Hindu women. Jointly atypical cells of undetermined significance (a typical cells of undetermined significance) and HPV16/18 are present in seven Muslim and two Hindu women. No high squamous intraepithelial lesions or cervical cancer is detected at the basel
