Physical Status and Viral load in Women with Positive Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection in Uterine Cervix

Yoon, C B; Kim, B S; Lee, E H; Sung, J H; Ryu, S Y; Kim, J H; Kim, B G; Park, S Y; Rhee, E D; Lee, K H

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to determine the frequency of viral integration and viral load in women with positive HPV type 16 infection, and showing normal findings, CIN, and cervical cancer.
METHODS
Total 75 (normal, 15; CIN I , 20; CIN III, 20; cervical cancer, 20) cervical swab specimens were used. HPV detection, typing, and viral load was determined by PCR method.
RESULTS
Seventy of 75 (93.3%) of cervical swab specimens showed same results with hybrid capture assay and PCR method for detecting HPV DNA. HPV type 16 DNA was identified more frequently with progression from normal to cervical cancer (normal, 13%; CIN I , 15%; CIN III, 40%; cervical cancer, 55%). The frequency of HPV type 16 DNA integration also increased with grade of the lesion (normal, 0%; CIN I , 33%; CIN III, 87%; cervical cancer, 91%) suggesting most of HPV type 16 present as integration forms in the cells. In addition, high-level of HPV 16 viral load also was found more frequently in CIN III and cervical cancer, (normal, 0%; CIN I , 0%; CIN III, 87%; cervical cancer, 100%).
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that viral integration and high-level of viral load may play an important role in cervical carcinogenesis.