Source: Virology Journal 2009, 6:83
Author: Staff Members

The purpose was to study the perinatal transmission of human papillomavirus DNA (HPV-DNA) in 63 mother-newborn pairs, besides looking at the epidemiological factors involved in the viral DNA transmission. The following sampling methods were used: (1) in the pregnant woman, when was recruited, in cervix and clinical lesions of the vagina, vulva and perineal region; (2) in the newborn, (a) buccal, axillary and inguinal regions; (b) nasopharyngeal aspirate, and (c) cord blood; (3) in the children, buccal was repeated in the 4th week and 6th and 12th month of life.
HPV-DNA was identified using two methodologies: multiplex PCR (PGMY09 and MY11 primers) and nested-PCR (genotypes 6/11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 42, 52 and 58). Perinatal transmission was considered when concordance was found in type-specific HPV between mother/newborn or mother/child.

HPV-DNA genital was detected in 49 pregnant women submitted to delivery. Eleven newborns (22.4%, n=11/49) were HPV-DNA positive.

In 8 cases (16.3%, n=8/49) there was type specific HPV concordance between mother/newborn samples. At the end of the first month of life three children (6.1%, n=3/49) became HPV-DNA positive, while two remained positive from birth.

In 3 cases (100%, n=3/3) there was type specific HPV concordance between mother/newborn samples. In the 6th month, a child (2%, n=1/49) had become HPV-DNA positive between the 1st and 6th month of life, and there was type specific HPV concordance of mother/newborn samples.

All the HPV-DNA positive children (22.4%, n=11/49) at birth and at the end first month of life (6.1%, n=3/49) became HPV-DNA negative at the age of 6 months. The HPV-DNA positive child (2%, n=1/49) from 1st to the 6th month of life became HPV-DNA negative between the 6th and 12th month of life and one child had anogenital warts.

In the twelfth month all (100%, n=49/49) the children studied were HPV-DNA negative. A positive and significant correlation was observed between perinatal transmission of HPV-DNA and the immunodepression of maternal variables (HIV, p=0.007).

Finally, the study suggests that perinatal transmission of HPV-DNA occurred in 24.5% (n=12/49) of the cases studied.

Author: Renato RombaldiEduardo SerafiniJovana MandelliEdineia ZimmermannKamille Losquiavo
Credits/Source: Virology Journal 2009, 6:83