Prevalence and genotypes identification of human papillomavirus infection in a population of South Italy.
BACKGROUND
A limited number of human papillomavirus (HPV) types account for the majority of invasive cervical cancer cases.


OBJECTIVE
To assess, in a southern Italian region, where HPV infection had not yet been investigated, the prevalence of type-specific HPV infection.


METHODS
Multiplex PCR was used to test cervical specimens from 871 asymptomatic women.


RESULTS
The HPV infection rate was 23.1%, with the highest prevalence being observed in women aged 20-30 years (32.6%). Type 16 was the most frequent HPV type detected either in mono-infected (39.8%) or in multi-infected (46.3%) women.


CONCLUSIONS
The HPV infection rate was higher than reported from other Italian areas. Our results further emphasise the importance of vaccinations to immunize females before they acquire HPV infection.
Del Prete
Raffaele
R
Section of Microbiology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Di Taranto
Anna Maria
AM
Lipsi
Maria Rosaria
MR
Nirchio
Vincenzo
V
Antonetti
Raffaele
R
Miragliotta
Giuseppe
G
D000328:Adult; D003127:Colposcopy; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D004279:DNA, Viral