title: Natural seroconversion to high-risk human papillomaviruses (hrHPVs) is not protective against related HPV genotypes.
abstract: The risk of seroconversion for multiple human papillomavirus (HPV) types over time was studied in a cohort of 532 women with cervical HPV infection, prospectively followed-up for >10 y. Of the women who were HPV-antibody positive for at least 1 of the HPV types (6, 11 (low risk, lr), 16, 18, 31, 33, and 45 (high risk, hr)) at baseline, 73-98% seroconverted for 1 or more HPV types over time. Baseline lrHPV-seropositive women had 2.3-fold risk (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-4.7) for hrHPV seroconversion, but the opposite was not the case. Cross-protection by the natural HPV16 or HPV18 infection against other types of the HPV species A9 or A7 was not seen. These data suggest that protection against other HPV genotypes (as indicated by the lack of seroconversion) may not be provided by humoral HPV antibodies derived from a natural infection. Instead, these unvaccinated, HPV-antibody-positive women continue to be susceptible to infections by the other HPV genotypes over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Palmroth
authors.forename: Proscovia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Namujju
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simen-Kapeu
authors.forename: Vesa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kataja
authors.forename: Heljä-Marja
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Surcel
authors.forename: Marjo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tuppurainen
authors.forename: Merja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yliskoski
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Syrjänen
authors.forename: Matti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lehtinen
mesh_terms: D056738:Cross Protection; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies