title: Clinical findings among young women with genital human papillomavirus infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to identify clinical signs and symptoms associated with detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in the female genital tract.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 516 university students (18 to 24 years old) enrolled in a cohort study that included the collection of genital specimens for HPV DNA testing every 4 months for up to 4 years. Reported symptoms and objective clinical findings of women with and without HPV DNA were compared by multivariate analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acute and persisting HPV infections were not associated with discharge, itching, burning, soreness, or fissures. Clinical evidence of genital warts was statistically associated only with HPV types 6 and 11. Detection of any HPV DNA was associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV). Furthermore, a time lag analysis suggests that HPV infection usually precedes detection of BV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most women who acquire genital HPV infection are asymptomatic; some, however, are at increased risk for BV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kiviat
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuypers
authors.forename: Shu-Kuang
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Diane E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Koutsky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral