title: High frequency of human papillomavirus detection in the vagina before first vaginal intercourse among females enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is believed to be primarily sexually transmitted. Few studies have documented the detection of HPV in the vagina before first vaginal intercourse.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a longitudinally followed cohort of adolescent females without prior vaginal intercourse to examine the frequency of detection of vaginal HPV and the association between first reported HPV detection and noncoital sexual behaviors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HPV was detected in 45.5% of subjects (10 of 22) before first vaginal sex. Seven of these 10 subjects reported noncoital behaviors that, in part, might have explained genital transmission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HPV can be detected in the vagina before first sexual intercourse, highlighting the need for early vaccination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
authors.forename: Marcia L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Shew
authors.forename: Bree
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: Wanzhu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: J Dennis
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Fortenberry
authors.forename: Darron R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003075:Coitus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014621:Vagina / Q000821:virology*