Association Between GSTP1 (rs1695) Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection in Women from Southern Brazil: A Case-control Study

Background: Polymorphic variations in enzyme genes involved in the detoxification of oxidative stress products such as glutatations have been associated with cervical carcinogenesis. However, little is known about how to affect human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, a key factor in neoplasia.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the possible association between the GSTP1 (rs1695) polymorphism and susceptibility to HPV infection in women treated by the public health system in Southwest Paraná, Brazil.

Methodology: We conducted a case-control study involving 140 women, of which 39 were infected with HPV and 101 were not. Cases and controls were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, all participants had the inclusion criteria of having had their first sexual intercourse, excluding pregnant women. The GSTP1 (rs1695) polymorphism was detected using the Tetra Amplification Refractory Mutation System (T-ARMS), a method that allows for precise identification of genetic variations. This study is the first in Southern Brazil to explore the association between rs1695 and susceptibility to HPV infection.

Results: The analysis revealed a significant difference between the variants. The A allele (Ile) was protective against HPV infection, both alone (OR: 0.175; 95% CI 0.071-0.434; P < 0.001) and in homozygosity (OR: 0.237; 95% CI 0.091-0.616; P < 0.003). Conversely, the G (Val) allele was identified as a risk factor for HPV infection (OR: 4.22; 95% CI 1.623-10.989; P < 0.003), increasing the risk by approximately four times. In heterozygosity (AG), the risk of viral infection was even higher (OR: 5.714; 95% CI 2.303-14.180; P < 0.001). The total number of participants analyzed for each allele was 138, adding robustness to these findings.

Conclusion: Our findings showed that the G allele and the AG genotype are specific for the risk of HPV infection in the study population.