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Viral load of high‐risk human papillomavirus in cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions
Author(s) -
Sun C.A.,
Liu J.F.,
Wu D.M.,
Nieh S.,
Yu C.P.,
Chu T.Y.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/s0020-7292(01)00529-x
Subject(s) - medicine , viral load , odds ratio , confidence interval , risk factor , case control study , hpv infection , human papillomavirus , cervical intraepithelial neoplasia , cytology , cervical cancer , gynecology , immunology , virus , pathology , cancer
Objectives: This case‐control study was conducted to investigate the role of viral load of high‐risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in the development of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) and invasive cancers. Methods: A total of 30 female cases who had histological evidence of low‐grade SIL ( n =10) or high‐grade SIL and above ( n =20) were identified as the case group at the Tri‐Service General Hospital, Taipei between September 1998 and March 1999. In addition, 80 female controls who had normal cervical cytology were enrolled and individually matched on age (±5 years) and date of recruitment to each case. Cervical swabs collected from study subjects were tested for the positivity and viral load of high‐risk HPVs by Hybrid Capture II assay. Additionally, subjects completed a risk factor questionnaire. Results: Among sex behavioral factors studied, younger age at first intercourse was associated with a significantly elevated risk of cervical SIL and invasive cancers. With respect to HPV infection, high‐risk HPV DNA was present in 70% (21/30) of case and 21% (17/80) of control subjects, resulting in an odds ratio (OR) of 6.6 [95% confidence interval (C.I.)=2.6–17.0]. Moreover, women who had a high viral load were at significantly greater risk for cervical SIL and invasive cancers than those who were infected with a low viral load (OR=18.0, 95% C.I.=3.0–108.5). Conclusions: Among the variables tested, infection with a high viral load of high‐risk HPVs is the strongest determinant for cervical SIL and cervical cancers in Taiwan.