Persistent antibodies to HPV virus-like particles following natural infection are protective against subsequent cervicovaginal infection with related and unrelated HPV.
Whether persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) IgG antibodies following natural infection are protective against subsequent infection is unknown. In a cohort of 508 college women followed for 3 y, persistent seropositivity was defined as the presence of type-specific HPV virus-like particle (VLP) antibodies at > or = 2 consecutive visits 1 y apart. Protection from incident infection with any HPV was conferred by persistent antibodies to HPV16 (p = 0.02), HPV31 (p < 0.001), HPV33 (p = 0.03), HPV35 (p = 0.002), HPV52 (p = 0.007), HPV45 (p = 0.003), and HPV53 (p = 0.01). The risk of incident infection with species-specific HPV types was also decreased in women with persistent antibodies to any HPV type in that group, suggesting that exposure to HPV with persistent development of antibody response can be protective, and may explain the decreased efficacy of HPV vaccine in women with prior exposure.
Malik
Zainab A
ZA
Department of Pediatrics and Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York, USA. zainab_akhtar_malik@hotmail.com
Hailpern
Susan M
SM
Burk
Robert D
RD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D052685:Alphapapillomavirus / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D015344:DNA Probes, HPV; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D012306:Risk; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013045:Species Specificity; D002575:Uterine Cervicitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D014762:Viral Interference; D017735:Virus Latency; D055815:Young Adult
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D015344:DNA Probes, HPV; D004279:DNA, Viral; C114580:HPV L1 protein, Human papillomavirus; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral