title: Can 'high-risk' human papillomaviruses (HPVs) be detected in human breast milk?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission via nonsexual modes in childhood has been proposed by several researchers. The aim of our study was to determine the presence of 'high-risk' HPV DNA in human breast milk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using polymerase chain reaction techniques, we evaluated the presence of HPV infection in human breast milk collected from 21 HPV-positive and 11 HPV-negative mothers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 32 studied human milk specimens, no 'high-risk' HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58 or 58 DNA was detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary case-control study indicates the absence of mucosal 'high-risk' HPV types in human breast milk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, 'Penteli' Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece. mammasjo@googlemail.com
authors.forename: Ioannis N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Mammas
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaravinos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sourvinos
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Myriokefalitakis
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Theodoridou
authors.forename: Demetrios A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Spandidos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D052685:Alphapapillomavirus / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000821:virology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000635:transmission; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018570:Risk Assessment; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral