High risk of human papillomavirus infection and cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions among women with symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection

Article Abstract:

The relationship between infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and development of squamous epithelial lesions, was assessed in 96 women with a high risk of developing these conditions. Squamous intraepithelial lesions are areas of damaged tissue within the squamous cells of the epithelium, the surface layer of the cervix (the opening of the uterus). Fifty-one of the 96 women had antibodies against HIV, indicating infection with this virus. HPV infection was detected in 23 of the 33 HIV-infected women with symptoms, in 4 of the 18 HIV-infected women without symptoms, and 10 of the 45 uninfected women. Squamous intraepithelial lesions developed in 14 of the 27 women with both HIV and HPV infection, in 6 of the 34 women with either viral infection, and 3 of the 35 uninfected women. The development of intraepithelial lesions was strongly associated with HPV infection in HIV-infected women with symptoms. Women who were younger and belonged to ethnic or racial minority groups had the greatest risk of developing the viral infections and squamous intraepithelial lesions. The abnormalities of the cervical cells that are associated with HPV infection are worsened with progression of HIV disease, which causes reduced immunity. Women with a high risk of developing HIV infection should undergo screening, and if necessary, follow-up and treatment. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Abnormalities, Complications and side effects, HIV infection, HIV infections, Medical screening, Health screening, Epithelial cells, Dyskeratosis congenita

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High prevalence rate of human papillomavirus infection and association with abnormal Papanicolaou smears in sexually active adolescents

Article Abstract:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in women can cause changes in the cells of the cervix, which can lead to cervical cancer. Although the association between HPV and cancer has been clearly established in adults, less is known about HPV infections in adolescents. There may be no symptoms of an HPV infection. It is known that sex and pregnancy at an early age are risk factors for cervical cancer. To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for HPV in adolescent women, 249 sexually active teenagers between 13 and 21 year of age were studied. HPV was detected in 95 (38.2 percent) of the adolescents. Girls having multiple sex partners were more likely to become infected with HPV (38 out of 71, 54 percent) than those with only one sex partner (25 out of 74 women, 34 percent). An abnormal Pap smear, a microscopic evaluation of cells taken from the cervix, was found in 20 (8.3 percent) patients: 16 (17 percent) out of 94 patients with HPV and four (2.7 percent) out of 147 uninfected women. HPV infections were thus found in a great many adolescents, and were associated with an increased risk for cell changes on the cervix. Whether these changes put the HPV-infected adolescent population at risk for cervical cancer later in life will require long-term studies. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sexual behavior, Sexually transmitted diseases, Usage, Teenage girls, Pap test, Cervix diseases

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Prevalence of human papillomavirus among STD clinic attenders in Jamaica: association of younger age and increased sexual activity

Article Abstract:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection appears to be common among sexually active women in Jamaica. HPV infection is a sexually transmitted disease strongly associated with cervical cancer. Jamaica has a high incidence of cervical cancer. A total of 202 women attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Kingston were interviewed and examined. The average age of the women was 26 years and 7 months. Almost 29% of the women (58) tested positive for HPV infection. Thirty-eight percent of the women between 15 and 19 years old tested positive for HPV infection compared with 17% of the women who were 30 years or older. Women who had two or more different sexual partners each month during the past year were significantly more likely to test positive than those who had fewer sexual partners. Women who had a higher frequency of vaginal sex were also more likely to test positive.

Health aspects, Jamaicans

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