title: Viral load of high-risk human papillomavirus in cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This case-control study was conducted to investigate the role of viral load of high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in the development of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) and invasive cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 30 female cases who had histological evidence of low-grade SIL (n=10) or high-grade SIL and above (n=20) were identified as the case group at the Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei between September 1998 and March 1999. In addition, 80 female controls who had normal cervical cytology were enrolled and individually matched on age (+/-5 years) and date of recruitment to each case. Cervical swabs collected from study subjects were tested for the positivity and viral load of high-risk HPVs by Hybrid Capture II assay. Additionally, subjects completed a risk factor questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among sex behavioral factors studied, younger age at first intercourse was associated with a significantly elevated risk of cervical SIL and invasive cancers. With respect to HPV infection, high-risk HPV DNA was present in 70% (21/30) of case and 21% (17/80) of control subjects, resulting in an odds ratio (OR) of 6.6 [95% confidence interval (C.I.)=2.6-17.0]. Moreover, women who had a high viral load were at significantly greater risk for cervical SIL and invasive cancers than those who were infected with a low viral load (OR=18.0, 95% C.I.=3.0-108.5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among the variables tested, infection with a high viral load of high-risk HPVs is the strongest determinant for cervical SIL and cervical cancers in Taiwan.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. sunca@ndmctsgh.edu.tw
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nieh
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: T Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Chu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D019562:Viral Load; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*