Human immunodeficiency virus-induced immunosuppression: a risk factor for human papillomavirus infection

Article Abstract:

Infection by human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with venereal warts (genital condylomata); it is also associated with increased risk of cervical cancer in women. Since immunosuppression is thought to increase the risk of HPV infection, it is possible that women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, which causes AIDS) have a higher risk of HPV infection. This was tested by comparing the proportion of HIV-infected women in two groups: 92 with genital condylomata due to HPV, and 100 randomly selected controls without condylomata due to HPV. Results showed that 15 of the 92 HPV-infected women (16.3 percent) tested positive for HIV infection, compared with no members of the control group. Thirteen of the 15 HIV-infected women were intravenous drug abusers. They were also younger and had delivered fewer children than control women or women with HPV but without HIV infection; comparisons of these latter two groups showed that condylomatous (HPV-infected), non-HIV-infected women were younger and had fewer deliveries than controls. Women infected with both viral agents had undergone more induced abortions, on average, than those infected with HPV only. Women with HPV, regardless of HIV status, had a higher rate of sexually transmitted diseases than controls. HPV-associated lesions were more persistent in HIV-infected than in non-HIV-infected patients. Although the greater proportion of HIV-positive women in the HPV-infected group suggests that the risk of HPV infection may be elevated in such a population, the other differences noted between the groups (age, parity) do not allow firm conclusions about immunosuppression and HPV to be drawn. It seems advisable to test patients who are intravenous drug users and who have HPV infections for HIV infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Prognosis, HIV infection, Immunosuppression

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Cancer-associated human papillomavirus types are selectively increased in the cervix of women in the first trimester of pregnancy

Article Abstract:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) may be activated by either hormones or the immune system during pregnancy. Researchers obtained cervical cell samples from 245 pregnant women, 248 sexually transmitted disease (STD) patients, and 246 gynecology clinic patients. The presence of HPV was detected more frequently among pregnant women, with detection rates of 31% for pregnant women, 17.7% for STD patients, and 18.6% for the gynecology clinic patients. "High risk" HPV strains were also detected more frequently among pregnant women (24.9%), than among STD patients (13.3%) or gynecology clinic patients (11.4%). Pregnant patients were younger than the other patients, and young age is a risk factor for HPV. After pregnancy, many HPV positive women may become HPV negative again.

Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications

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Prevalence and incidence of gynecologic disorders among women infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Article Abstract:

HIV-infected women are more likely to have gynecologic disorders other than sexually transmitted diseases. In a study of 292 HIV-infected women and 681 non-infected women, the HIV-infected women were more likely to have vulvar candidiasis, papillomavirus infection, an abnormal Pap smear, cytomegalovirus infection, genital warts and a cessation of menstruation. Almost half of the HIV-infected women had one or more of these conditions.

Women, HIV infection in women, Genital diseases, Female, Female genital diseases

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