Abstract
BackgroundThe prevalence, genotypes, and vertical transmission characteristics of human papillomavirus (HPV) among pregnant women from Nanjing, China was investigated.MethodsCervical cells were collected from healthy pregnant women (n = 3139; stage of gestation, 24.6 ± 2.1 weeks) for cytological evaluation and determination of HPV infection status. Exfoliated oral and genital cells were collected from neonates (<1-day-old, n = 233) whose mothers were positive for HPV DNA. We used HPV Gene Chip technology with 23 HPV genotype probes to conduct our analysis.ResultsOverall prevalence of HPV DNA among pregnant women was 13.4% (422/3139). The most frequently detected HPV genotypes were HPV-16 (29.6%, 125/422), -18 (14.7%, 62/422), and -58 (14.2%, 60/422). The rate of concordance for HPV DNA in maternal-neonatal pairs was 23.6% (55/233), with HPV type-specific concordance occurring in 26 cases. A higher prevalence of HPV DNA was apparent in female neonates compared with males (17.7 vs. 11.6%).ConclusionsThe prevalence of cervical HPV DNA in pregnant women from Nanjing was low, with vertical transmission rates slightly higher. From our findings, we concluded that there was efficient vertical transmission of three HPV genotypes, with HPV-16 the most prevalent type in pregnant women and newborn babies.
Highlights
The prevalence, genotypes, and vertical transmission characteristics of human papillomavirus (HPV) among pregnant women from Nanjing, China was investigated
Low-risk, non-oncogenic forms of HPV are associated with anogenital warts and laryngeal papillomatosis; high-risk, oncogenic types are associated with cancers of the cervix, anogenital areas, head and neck [4]
Parity did not appear to be associated with HPV prevalence (OR for ≥3 gestations vs. 1–2 gestations = 1.2, 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 0.91–1.58)
Summary
The prevalence, genotypes, and vertical transmission characteristics of human papillomavirus (HPV) among pregnant women from Nanjing, China was investigated. The occurrence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) involving human papillomavirus (HPV) has been increasing in China, and are second only to the incidence of STIs for gonorrhea [1]. HPV has been recognized as the primary cause of cervical cancer, papillomatosis, and anogenital warts [2,3]. Low-risk, non-oncogenic forms of HPV are associated with anogenital warts and laryngeal papillomatosis; high-risk, oncogenic types are associated with cancers of the cervix, anogenital areas, head and neck [4]. In the early 1950s, a study revealed that pregnant women infected with HPV were able to vertically transmit the virus to neonates, resulting in infantile anal and. Most studies have found a higher prevalence of HPV DNA among pregnant women compared with those who are not pregnant [12,13,14]
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