Human papillomavirus in the placenta and umbilical cord blood.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in umbilical cord blood and in placenta, including its cellular localization.


METHODS
Longitudinal prospective study.


METHODS
Maternity Unit of Turku University Hospital, and MediCity, University of Turku.


METHODS
Placental and cord blood samples obtained at delivery from 315 mothers and 311 neonates included in the Finnish HPV Family Study.


METHODS
HPV testing by nested PCR and sequencing. Tyramide amplified in situ hybridization (ISH) for viral DNA localization in placenta. Correlation to mother's and neonate's oral and genital HPV status and maternal demographic data.


METHODS
Detection and cellular localization of HPV DNA.


RESULTS
HPV DNA was detected in 4.2 and 3.5% of placenta and cord blood samples, respectively, including HPV types 16, 6, 83 and 39. In placenta, HPV6 and 16 DNA was localized in syncytiotrophoblasts. Abnormal cytology increased the risk of HPV+ placenta and cord blood. History of genital warts was the only independent predictor of cord blood HPV in multivariate analysis (adjusted OR=4.0, 95% CI: 1.09-14.54, p=0.036). HPV DNA in cord blood increased the risk of genital (OR=4.0, 95% CI: 1.08-14.83, p=0.048) and oral (OR=4.4, 95% CI: 1.17-16.14, p=0.039) HPV DNA carriage of the neonate. HPV+ placenta increased the risk of oral HPV of the neonate (OR=8.6, 95% CI: 2.73-27.13, p=0.0001). Delivery mode did not predict HPV status of the neonate.


CONCLUSIONS
HPV DNA is detected in placental trophoblasts and umbilical cord blood. The presence of HPV DNA at these sites increases the risk of a neonate testing HPV-positive at birth.
Sarkola
Marja E
ME
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland. marja.sarkola@utu.fi
Grénman
Seija E
SE
Rintala
Marjut A M
MA
Syrjänen
Kari J
KJ
Syrjänen
Stina M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D052685:Alphapapillomavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000821:virology*; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D010920:Placenta / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D004279:DNA, Viral