Cofactors in human papillomavirus infection and cervical carcinogenesis

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to identify the eVect of various risk factors as the promoters of HPV infection, and to identify which HPV-positive women may have an increased risk of developing cervical cancer. Methods Smear preparations were examined and classi- Wed according to the Bethesda system. HPV-DNA detection and genotyping was carried out using polymerase chain reaction combined with reverse hybridization lineprobe assays. Age, smoking habit, age at Wrst sexual intercourse, number of sexual partners, number of term births, contraceptive method, progesterone therapy, history of sexually transmitted diseases, history or existence of warts and existence of cervical infection were recorded. Results 642 women (96 women with abnormal cervical cytology and 546 women with normal cytology) provided cervical samples. Smoking habit, number of sexual partners, number of term births, history of sexually transmitted diseases, history or existence of warts and existence of cervical infection were identiWed as the promoters of HPV infection. History of sexually transmitted diseases, history or existence of warts and existence of cervical infection were identiWed as cofactors aVecting progression from HPV infection to cervical cancer. Neither of contraceptive methods studied was related to HPV infection or coexistence with malign transformation to cervical cancer. Conclusion Information gathered from this study could be used to prioritize limited screening and treatment services to woman who have speciWc characteristics that may put them at an increased risk of HPV infection. Additionally, by identifying which women have a higher risk of cervical cancer; it may be possible to reduce the number of unnecessary colposcopies. © Springer-Verlag 2011.