Human Papillomavirus and p16 Expression in Female Genital Tract and Its Value in Diagnosis

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a key etiological factor in cervical and other anogenital cancers.Among the various biomarkers investigated, p16INK4a has emerged as a promising surrogate marker for high-risk HPV infection and neoplastic transformation in the female genital tract.Aim & Objectives: In this study, we aim to evaluate the correlation between HPV DNA detection and p16INK4a expression in cervical and vaginal lesions and assess its diagnostic value in clinical practice.Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Pathology in collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a tertiary care hospital between January 2023 and December 2024.This study involved histopathological evaluation and immunohistochemical analysis of p16 expression in cervical and vaginal biopsies obtained from women presenting with abnormal cytology.HPV DNA detection was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify high-risk genotypes.The correlation between HPV status and p16 overexpression was statistically assessed.Results: Among the 120 cases studied, high-risk HPV was detected in 68 (56.7%) samples, with HPV 16 and 18 being the most prevalent types.p16 overexpression was observed in 61 (50.8%) cases, most of which corresponded to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and carcinoma.A significant association was noted between high-risk HPV presence and p16 expression (p<0.001),indicating strong diagnostic relevance.Conclusion: p16 expression is strongly associated with high-risk HPV infection and neoplastic lesions in the female genital tract.It serves as a reliable adjunct in histopathological diagnosis and may guide clinical management, especially in equivocal cases.