Seroepidemiologic studies of bovine papillomavirus infections

Bovine and human sera were analyzed for the presence of antibodies against bovine papillomavirus types 1 and 2 (BPV 1 and 2) and human papillomavirus type 1 (HPV 1) in a solid-phase radioimmunoassay. Human sera did not react with BPV antigens, and bovine sera showed no evidence of antibodies against HPV 1. In contrast, 19% of all bovine sera tested reacted with BPV 1 and 2 antigens, and 35% of human sera revealed antibodies against HPV 1. No serologic evidence was obtained for heterologous infections of persons exposed preferentially to cattle (farmers, butchers, and patients with Q-fever).