title: HPV clearance in postpartum period of HIV-positive and negative women: a prospective follow-up study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HPV persistence is a key determinant of cervical carcinogenesis. The influence of postpartum on HPV clearance has been debated. This study aimed to assess HPV clearance in later pregnancy and postpartum among HIV-positive and negative women.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a follow-up study with 151 HPV-positive women coinfected with HIV, in 2007-2010. After baseline assessment, all women were retested for HPV infection using PCR in later pregnancy and after delivery. Multivariable logistic regressions assessed the putative association of covariates with HPV status in between each one of the successive visits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-one women (47%) have eliminated HPV between the baseline visit and their second or third visits. HIV-positive women took a significantly longer time (7.0 ± 3.8 months) to clear HPV, compared to those not infected by HIV (5.9 ± 3.0 months). HPV clearance was significantly more likely to take place after delivery than during pregnancy (84.5% x 15.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both HIV-positive and negative women presented a significant reduction in HPV infection during the postpartum period. HIV-positive status was found to be associated with a longer period of time to clear HPV infection in pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: ICICT/ENSP - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Biblioteca de Manguinhos suite 229, Av, Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro RJ 21045-900, Brazil. emjalil@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Emilia Moreira
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Jalil
authors.forename: Francisco Inacio
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Bastos
authors.forename: Patricia Pereira Dos Santos
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Melli
authors.forename: Geraldo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Renata Toscano
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Simoes
authors.forename: Aparecida Yulie
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Rodrigo Augustus Amaral de
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.forename: Silvana Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Quintana
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D052685:Alphapapillomavirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult