Detection of Human Papillomavirus DNA in Paired Peripheral Blood and Cervix Samples in Patients with Cervical Lesions and Healthy Individuals

This study evaluated the presence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in the cervix and peripheral blood of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN I, II, and III) and healthy individuals. Overall, 139 paired peripheral blood and cervix samples of healthy women and women with CIN I, II, and III (n = 68) were tested for HPV DNA by using standard procedures. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing determined HPV types. Quantification of HPV16 E6 and E2 genes was performed to determine viral load and physical state. HPV DNA was detected in the cervix (21.1% in healthy individuals; 48.8–55.5% in CIN patients), blood (46.4% in healthy individuals; 44.1–77.7% in CIN patients) and paired peripheral blood and cervix samples (24% in healthy individuals; 32.5–44.4% in CIN patients). The most frequent types found in the cervix were HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 58, and 70, while HPV16, 18, 33, 58, and 66 were the most frequent types found in the blood. HPV DNA in the cervix was associated with previous sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (p = 0.023; OR: 2.978; CI:1.34–7.821), HPV DNA in the blood (p = 0.000; OR: 8.283; CI:3.700–18.540), and cervical lesions (CIN I/II or III) (p = 0.007). Binomial logistic regression showed that HPV DNA in the blood (p = 0.000; OR: 9.324; CI:3.612–24.072) and cervical lesions (p = 0.011; OR: 3.622; CI:1.338–9.806) were associated with HPV DNA in the cervix. However, we did not find an association between HPV DNA in the blood and cervical lesions (p = 0.385). Our results showed that only HPV DNA found in the cervix was associated with cervical lesions.

Evidence for HPV DNA in the placenta of women who resorted to elective abortion

Background It is believed that HPV infection can result in the death of placental trophoblasts and cause miscarriages or preterm birth. In clinical cases of placental villi positive for HPV DNA reported by other authors, contamination is suspected in the act of crossing the cervical canal. We analyzed placental samples of women who resorted to elective abortion obtained by hysterosuction of ovular material, bypassing any contact with the cervical canal and vagina. Methods We studied the chorionic villi of the placenta of 64 women who resorted to voluntary termination of pregnancy, in the first trimester. To avoid contamination of the villi by the cervical canal, we analyzed placental samples obtained by hysterosuction of ovular material, bypassing any contact with the cervical canal and vagina. All samples of chorionic villi were manually selected from the aborted material and subjected to research for HPV DNA. Results HPV DNA was detected in 10 out of 60 women (16.6%). The HPV DNA identified in the placenta belonged to genotypes 6, 16, 35, 53, and 90. Conclusion The study shows that papillomavirus DNA can infect the placenta and that placenta HPV infection can occur as early as the first trimester of pregnancy.