Genital human papillomavirus infections in Taiwan

OBJECTIVES: Identification and typing of HPV infections in genital condyloma and normal cytological cervix. METHODS: Cervical cells from 289 Pap cases with normal cytological findings were examined for HPV infection by slot blot hybridization. Fifteen condyloma biopsy specimens were studied by Southern blot hybridization. RESULTS: Thirty-six cases (12.5%) with normal cervical cytology were HP V positive. The predominant HPV type in women with normal cytology is HPV-16. Risk factors for HPV infection in women with normal cytology depend on age and history of pregnancies. Twelve cases (80%) of condyloma contained HP V-6 or-11 sequences. The predominant HPV type in genital condyloma is HPV-11. CONCLUSIONS: HPV detection in population-based screening programs for cervical neoplasia can be an important tool in identifying women who are at risk of developing dysplasia and cervical cancer.