[Human papillomavirus infection in women with and without abnormal cervical cytology]

This study sought to define the prevalence rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cytologic abnormalities in 3,257 sexually active females 13 to 45 years of age, undergoing routine cervical cytologic screening in the outpatient clinic of an urban hospital. One hundred and fifty patients (4.6%) showed cytologic evidence of cervical human papillomavirus infection (abnormal Pap). We selected a control group (n = 150) with negative cervical cytologic smears. Cells collected were analysed for HPV-DNA by PCR amplification method with probes for HPV types 6.11, 16.18 and 33. The HPV-DNA was detected in 21/300 (7.0%). The prevalence of cervical HPV-DNA types among women with negative cytology was 5.3% (8/150) and 8.6% (13/150) among women with abnormal Pap. The risk of HPV infection seems to be related with age at first intercourse, younger age and number of sexual partners. We did not find relation with the use of oral contraceptives smoking and history of prior sexually transmitted disease.