[The role of environmental factors in HPV infections of the upper respiratory tract of healthy children].
BACKGROUND
Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been universally recognized as the etiologic factor of many malignant and non-malignant diseases of the upper respiratory tract, skin and female genital tracts. Up to date more than 100 various genotypes of HPV have been recognized. The process of the HPV transmission and the risk factors of spreading the infection have been not confirmed explicitly.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the paper was the identification of environmental factors of spreading infection in the material of asymptomatic carriers of HPV.


METHODS
A group of 201 pre-school children (109 girls and 92 boys) was laryngologically examined after getting a consent from their parents. The virological examination using PCR methods reveal 58 asymptomatic carriers of HPV and 143 HPV-free children.


RESULTS
The analysis of history and data reveal significant relationship between the HPV infection and the number of active smokers in the family (38.2% vs 19.4%). The dental caries was found more often in HPV positive children. The fact worth consideration is the standard of living, which in the families of HPV infected children was estimated frequently as low or rather low.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to unfavorable environmental factors like active smokers in the family and low standard of living can led to spreading of the HPV infections.
Szydłowski
Jarosław
J
Klinika Otolaryngologii Dzieciecej Katedry Otolaryngologii Akademii Medycznej w Poznaniu. szydlowski@esculap.pl
Myga
Magdalena
M
Grzegorowski
Michał
M
Goździcka-Józefiak
Anna
A
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution