Category: Medical & Molecular Sciences
A global health problem
September 14, 2023 Written by Amy Cherry
New research shows 25 HPV types circulating in Nigeria, necessitating new region-specific vaccines
Researchers in the University of Delaware College of Health Sciences Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences are playing a pivotal role on the global health stage as they investigate the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world.
Centers for Disease Control statistics show that 79 million Americans have human papillomavirus (HPV). With 14 million new infections each year, 80% of women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lifetime, according to the Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Several strains of HPV cause cervical cancer, which is the third most common cancer in women and the second most frequent cause of cancer-related death globally.
New research out of UD’s Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences (MMSC) confirmed 25 different types of HPV prevalent in Nigeria. About half of those types of HPV cause cancer, while others cause STIs like genital warts, according to lead investigator Sam Biswas, professor of medical and molecular sciences. The research was recently published in Virology Journal.