title: The absence of human papillomavirus in amniotic fluid.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this multicenter trial was to determine the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the amniotic fluid of pregnant patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three pregnant patients undergoing genetic counseling or amniocentesis for preterm labor were entered into the study. Cervical swabs and amniotic fluid samples were ob-tained at the time of entry. Demographical questionnaires were completed by all patients. All samples underwent HPV analysis using polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of cervical HPV and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in this population was 24% and 4%, respectively. The analysis of 49 amniotic fluid samples revealed the absence of HPV in each specimen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The absence of HPV in the amniotic fluid of patients with cervical colonization does not support a mechanism of prenatal transmission in the general population.
authors.affiliation: *Departments of Obstetrics-Gynecology ‡Department of Clinical investigation, William Beaumont Anny Medical Center, El Paso, TX †Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Maxwell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zakarean
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Veit
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hoshaw