Human papillomavirus types and recurrent cervical warts in immunocompromised women

Little is known about the host's immunological response to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is an important co-factor in genital tract cancers. This study analyzed the HPV type in pre- and posttreatment tissues in immunocompromised women with cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) that recurred after ablative therapy. The HPV type was the same in the pre- and posttreatment lesion in nine of 12 recurrent SILs in women immunocompromised because of AIDS or long-term immunosuppressive therapy. In an extension of a previous study, it was noted that a different HPV type was present in the posttreatment SIL when compared to the pretreatment lesion in 13 of 14 cases in immunocompetent women. These observations support the hypothesis that a type-specific resistance may develop after ablative treatment, preventing re-infection by the same HPV type in immunocompetent women.