title: Follow-up of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA and local anti-HPV antibodies in cytologically normal pregnant women.
abstract: The high level of progesterone during pregnancy may enhance the transcription and replication of genital human papillomaviruses (HPV) through the glucocorticoid/progesterone response element found in the long control region of the viral genome. In this study, cytologically and colposcopically healthy pregnant women were subjected to a follow-up examination. Samples from the uterine cervix were collected during early pregnancy (n = 39), in the third trimester (n = 31), and a few weeks after birth (n = 30). The presence of HPV DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while local secretory anti-viral IgA antibodies were demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using synthetic peptide antigens. Follow-up examination by PCR revealed HPV DNA persistence in 5 women. In 5 other cases, HPV positivity changed from negative to positive during the follow-up. There was 1 case which changed from positive to negative and 1 in which the HPV type changed during the study. Altogether, 12 of 39 women (31%) were shown to harbor HPV DNA at some time during follow-up. HPV DNA positivity increased from 18% during early pregnancy to 27% after birth (difference not significant). On the other hand, there was a significant rise in the level of local antibodies against HPV antigens (E2, E7, and L2) between samples collected in early pregnancy and those collected after birth (P < 0.0001). This may indicate the reactivation of genital HPV infections during late pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University Medical School of Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Veress
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Csiky-Mészáros
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kónya
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Czeglédy
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gergely
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral