title: Prospective serial study of viral change in the cervix and correlation with human papillomavirus genome status.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe in serial fashion the histological changes of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection of the cervix and to correlate these with the detection of HPV genomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective longitudinal study to perform colposcopy and at 0, 9 and 18 months to obtain a smear, a biopsy for histology and HPV-16 genome detection by DNA/DNA hybridization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Glasgow Family Planning Centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-two women recruited on the basis of a routine smear showing viral change without dyskaryosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women found to have CIN 3 were treated with laser.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cytology and cervical biopsy results and HPV-16 DNA detection by Southern blotting obtained serially from individual subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 82 women recruited, 10% were positive for HPV-16 detection by Southern blotting. Detection of HPV-16 genomes did not correlate with either CIN or viral infection assessed histologically and serial hybridizations in a given individual showed fluctuation in HPV-16 detection. Polymerase chain reaction in a subset of samples revealed 46% positive for HPV DNA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No clear correlation exists between HPV genome detection and the histological appearance. HPV-16 genome detection alone may not be a useful predictor of precancerous progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, University of Glasgow.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kitchener
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Neilson
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Burnett
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Macnab
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D003127:Colposcopy; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral