Related Experiment Videos
Telomerase activity in HPV-associated vulvar vestibulitis
J Bornstein1, N Lahat, A Sharon
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. mdjacob@tx.technion.ac.il
The Journal of Reproductive Medicine
|September 15, 2000
Summary
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is linked to increased telomerase activity in vulvar vestibulitis. This suggests HPV may contribute to the development of some vulvar vestibulitis cases.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Vulvar vestibulitis is a condition characterized by pain in the vulvar vestibule.
- The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the etiology of vulvar vestibulitis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential correlation between telomerase activity, mean telomere length, and the presence and type of HPV in vulvar vestibulitis tissues.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 22 surgical tissues from vulvar vestibulitis patients and 9 control tissues.
- Testing for telomerase activity, mean telomere length, and HPV presence and type.
Main Results:
- HPV, primarily types 16/18, was detected in 36% of vestibulitis tissues, but not in controls (P < .02).
- Telomerase activity was present in all HPV-positive tissues and 64% of HPV-negative tissues (P < .02).
- Mean telomere length did not differ significantly between patient and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Increased telomerase activity in vulvar vestibulitis may be associated with HPV infection.
- HPV infection could be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of certain vulvar vestibulitis cases.