Antibodies to Herpesvirus hominis types 1 and 2 in humans: II. Women with cervical cancer

Abstract

Nahmias, A. J., W. E. Josey, Z. M. Naib, C F. Luce and B. A. Guest (Emory Univ. School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga. 30303). Antibodies to Herpesvirvs hominis types 1 and 2 in humans. II. Women with cervical cancer. Amer. J. Epid., 1970, 97: 547-552.-The microneutralization test permitting differentiation of Herpesvirvs hominis (HVH) type antibodies was used to study sera obtained from 167 women with invasive and preinvaslve ana plastic lesions of the cervix. Similar serologic studies were done on an equal number of women matched for socioeconomic status, race and age. The percentage of women having type 2 and dual antibodies in the study and control groups was found to be as follows: (a) invasive carcinoma, 83%, controls, 35%; (b) in-situ cervical carcinoma, 70%, controls, 24%; (c) histotogically confirmed cervical dysplasia, 56%, controls, 18%; (d) cervical atypia diagnosed by cytological examination only, 40%, controls, 20%. There thus appeared to be a gradation in the percentages of women with type 2 antibodies from cytologically diagnosed atypia to invasive cervical carcinoma. The findings presented here, as well as those reported elsewhere, demonstrate a definite association between genital herpes and cervkal anaplasia. Further investigation is needed to substantiate a causal relationship. © 1970, by THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY.