Serological studies in a student population prone to infection with human papilloma virus

Four hundred and sixty-seven serum specimens from the female students at a residential college were examined for the presence of circulating antibody to human wart virus using the technique of counter-current immunoelectroosmophoresis. A significantly higher incidence of antibodies was found in students with a past history of plantar warts than in any other group. Antibody took several months to develop and was detectable in 20-30% of the students up to 9 years after infection. From a few cases of multiple infection, it was shown that reinfection could occur in spite of the presence of circulating antibodies probably of the IgG class. The sensitivity of the test was compared with two recognized techniques for detection of wart virus antibodies, namely gel diffusion and passive haemagglutination.