1. Rate of Squamous Metaplasia of the Cervical Epithelium is a Predictor of Subsequent Acquisition of HPV16 Infection

Abstract

Adolescent vulnerability to HPV infection has been attributed to the presence of “immature epithelium”, defined as areas of columnar epithelium and squamous metaplasia, on the ectocervix. The study aim was to examine the associations between the extent of cervical epithelial immaturity, rate of metaplasia, and incident HPV16 infection.