Tamrat Abebe

Linking Microbiome Diversity and Immune Profiles in Ethiopian Patients With Cervical Cancer

PURPOSE This study investigates the interplay between T-cell receptor (TCR) immune characteristics and microbiome profiles to explore the relationship between immune diversity and microbial composition in cervical samples from Ethiopia. METHODS Cervical specimens were collected from patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, and rural Butajira, south-central Ethiopia. Patient data, including age, human papillomavirus status, pathology, and TCR immune characteristics, were analyzed with a focus on the interactions between TCR profiles and microbiome compositions in malignant samples. RESULTS Three distinct TCR profiles were identified: Group 1 (TCR active) exhibited features of active immune engagement, including high diversity, clonal expansion, and repertoire richness. Group 2 (TCR restricted) showed reduced TCR diversity and expansion, suggesting a restricted repertoire. Group 3 (TCR balanced) had moderate diversity and clonal activity. TCR repertoire groups were linked with microbial diversity, with Group 1 (TCR active) showing the highest number of microbes (high operational taxonomic units and microbial diversity). Maximum TCR clonal expansion positivity associated with microbial richness, while Group 3 (TCR balanced) was linked to reduced microbial alpha diversity. Taxonomic analysis revealed specific organisms enriched in TCR repertoire group. CONCLUSION Variations in TCR profiles are linked to distinct microbial environments in cervical cancer with greater microbial richness in patients with greater maximum productive frequency. These findings underscore the interplay between TCR diversity, microbiome composition, and malignancy, offering insights into the potential implications for microbiome-targeted therapies and prognostic biomarkers in cervical cancer.

High‐risk human papillomavirus genotypes in previously unscreened reproductive‐age women in Ethiopia: A community‐based cohort study

AbstractHigh‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) genotype is needed for adequate cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination program evaluation as recommended by different guidelines. We aimed to assess the rate of HPV infection and HPV genotype distribution using vaginal self‐sampling in a cohort of unscreened reproductive‐age women in Ethiopia. A community‐based cohort study was conducted with women aged 23–46 living in Adama, Ethiopia. A total of 885 self‐collected vaginal swabs were obtained and tested for hrHPV genotypes with the real‐time polymerase chain reaction technique. The overall hrHPV prevalence was 21.1% (187/885, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.5–24.0). Among women living with human immunodeficiency virus, 46% (30/56) (95% CI: 33.7–59) were hrHPV positive compared with 19% (157/820) (95% CI: 16.2–22) of human immunodeficiency virus‐negative women. The most frequent genotypes were HPV16 (3.1%), HPV51 (3.1%), HPV35 (2.6%), HPV56 (2.6%), HPV52 (2.4%), HPV31 (2.5%), and HPV39 (2.5%). Among the 187 HPV‐positive women in self‐samples, HPV 16/18 was found in 21% (39), HPV 16/18/45 was found in 24% (44), and HPV 16/18/31/33/45/52/58 was prevalent in 56% (104). Out of 116 biopsies, 7% (8) had cervical intraepithelial lesions and worse identified. Of these eight cervical intraepithelial lesions and worse patients, only 25% tested positive for HPV‐16; none tested positive for HPV‐18 or 45. One out of five women tested positive for hrHPV genotypes. Other HPV genotypes not covered by the quadrivalent HPV vaccine but associated with clinically significant cervical high‐grade lesions or cancer were detected in 75%. It is more effective to prevent cervical cancer by switching to the nine‐valent HPV vaccine.