BACKGROUND: A limited number of human papillomavirus (HPV) types account for the majority of invasive cervical cancer cases. OBJECTIVES: To assess, in a southern Italian region, where HPV infection had not yet been investigated, the prevalence of type-specific HPV infection. STUDY DESIGN: Multiplex PCR was used to test cervical specimens from 871 asymptomatic women. RESULTS: The HPV infection rate was 23.1%, with the highest prevalence being observed in women aged 20-30 years (32.6%). Type 16 was the most frequent HPV type detected either in mono-infected (39.8%) or in multi-infected (46.3%) women. CONCLUSIONS: The HPV infection rate was higher than reported from other Italian areas. Our results further emphasise the importance of vaccinations to immunize females before they acquire HPV infection.
BACKGROUND: A limited number of human papillomavirus (HPV) types account for the majority of invasive cervical cancer cases. OBJECTIVES: To assess, in a southern Italian region, where HPV infection had not yet been investigated, the prevalence of type-specific HPV infection. STUDY DESIGN: Multiplex PCR was used to test cervical specimens from 871 asymptomatic women. RESULTS: The HPV infection rate was 23.1%, with the highest prevalence being observed in women aged 20-30 years (32.6%). Type 16 was the most frequent HPV type detected either in mono-infected (39.8%) or in multi-infected (46.3%) women. CONCLUSIONS: The HPV infection rate was higher than reported from other Italian areas. Our results further emphasise the importance of vaccinations to immunize females before they acquire HPV infection.
Authors: Paola Cattani; Gian Franco Zannoni; Caterina Ricci; Sara D'Onghia; Ilaria Nausica Trivellizzi; Aldo Di Franco; Valerio G Vellone; Maria Durante; Giovanni Fadda; Giovanni Scambia; Giovanni Capelli; Rosa De Vincenzo Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2009-10-14 Impact factor: 5.948