Evaluation of HPV-16 and HPV-18-specific Antibody Measurements in Saliva Collected in Oral Rinses and Merocel® Sponges

Abstract

Abstract Currently, there is some evidencing suggesting that HPV L1 VLP vaccines protect against HPV-16 and HPV-18 infection at the oral cavity in females and males. Although correlates of protection have not been identified, HPV specific antibodies at sites of infection are thought to be the main mechanism of protection afforded by vaccination. Oral sampling has gained increased attention as a potential alternative to serum in monitoring immunity to vaccination and understanding local immunity. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the HPV-16 and HPV-18 ELISAs currently used in sero-epidemiological studies of immunogenicity of HPV vaccines could be used to detect HPV-16 and HPV-18-specific antibodies in saliva following vaccination, using two different oral sampling methods. Data presented here demonstrate that HPV-16 and HPV-18 specific antibodies are detectable in saliva from vaccine recipients, from both mouthwash and Merocel® sponges using L1 VLP-based ELISAs.