Occurrence of cervical infection with multiple human papillomavirus types is associated with age and cytologic abnormalities.
BACKGROUND
Few aspects of the occurrence of infections with multiple HPV types have been described. Since the immunity conferred by vaccines is type-specific, the epidemiology of such coinfections needs to be addressed.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of the study was to document the prevalence and incidence of infection with multiple HPV types and the distribution of HPV types in coinfections.


METHODS
In a prospective cohort of 2075 Brazilian women, cervical specimens were collected for cytology and HPV detection. Information on potential risk factors was obtained by interview.


RESULTS
The prevalence of HPV coinfections was 3% among cytologically normal women, 10% among women with ASCUS, 23% among those with LSIL, and 7% among those with HSIL. The incidence rate of coinfection declined markedly with age (Ptrend<0.001). Some HPV types co-occurred less frequently than expected, namely, HPV 16 and 18 occurring with other oncogenic HPV types and HPV 6/11.


CONCLUSIONS
We have observed that occurrence of HPV coinfection was dependent both on age and on the presence of cytologic abnormalities. These results may have implications for vaccine development and for public health decisions about vaccination programs.
Rousseau
Marie-Claude
MC
Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Villa
Luisa L
LL
Costa
Maria Cecilia
MC
Abrahamowicz
Michal
M
Rohan
Thomas E
TE
Franco
Eduardo
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D014765:Viral Vaccines
D014765:Viral Vaccines