Author(s)

Koudpoko Madeleine Kabre^1,2, Djénéba Ouermi^1,2, Théodora Mahoukèdè Zohoncon^1,2,3,4*, Fatié Porzé Wilfried Traore⁴, Prosper Bado^1,2, Abdoul Karim Ouattara^1,2, Ouamini Pulchérie De Prisca Gnoumou³, Rogomenoma Alice Ouedraogo^1,2, Albert Théophane Yonli^1,2, Punya Akouélé Kuassi-Kpede^1,2, Charlemagne Marie Ragnag-Néwendé Ouedraogo⁵, Jacques Simpore^1,2,3,4

¹Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et de Génétique (LABIOGENE), Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
²Centre de Recherche Biomoléculaire Pietro Annigoni (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
³Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université Saint Thomas d’Aquin, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
⁴Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire, Hôpital Saint Camille de Ouagadougou (HOSCO), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
⁵University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, UFR/SDS, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most widespread sexually transmitted infection in the world. Today, there is growing evidence that HPV can be transmitted early in life, and one potential route is mother-to-child transmission. Data on this route of HPV transmission are scarce in Africa and particularly in Burkina Faso, where no data on the subject are yet available. The aim of our study was to estimate the rate of mother-to-child transmission of HPV infection and to identify circulating genotypes. Methodology: Cervico-uterine samples were collected from 100 full-term pregnant women and, buccal samples were obtained from their newborns at Hopital Saint Camille de Ouagadougou (HOSCO) by the specialist physician. HPV DNA amplification and genotyping were performed by PCR followed by hybridization using the HPV Direct Flow Chips kit, detecting 36 genotypes including 18 high-risk and 18 low-risk. Results: The prevalence of HPV in newborns was 8% (8/100). Six (6) HPV-positive neonates had HPV-positive mothers, while 2 HPV-positive neonates had HPV-negative mothers. The vertical transmission rate was 26.09% (6/23). Mother-newborn genotypes were concordant. However, the genotype profile of the newborns was more restricted than that of the mothers. Conclusion: HPV DNA was found in 8% of newborns in our study. The genotype profile of the mother-newborn pair was concordant. Asymptomatic HPV infection in a pregnant woman could constitute a risk factor for vertical transmission.

Mother-to-Child Transmission, Human Papillomavirus, PCR, Genotypes, Burkina Faso

Kabre, K. , Ouermi, D. , Zohoncon, T. , Traore, F. , Bado, P. , Ouattara, A. , Gnoumou, O. , Ouedraogo, R. , Yonli, A. , Kuassi-Kpede, P. , Ouedraogo, C. and Simpore, J. (2024) Mother-to-Child Transmission of Human Papillomavirus in Burkina Faso. American Journal of Molecular Biology, 14, 13-24. doi: 10.4236/ajmb.2024.141002.