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The incidence of cancer of the uterine cervix appears to be species-specific, thus confounding extrapolation of results from studies with experimental animals. In humans, the incidence varies more by social groups than does any other primary cancer. In a recent study, Puerto Ricans were found to have a 25 times higher risk of cervical cancer than Jews. Blacks had 4 times the risk of non-Jewish Caucasians. Age at 1st coitus (AFC) and number of coital partners have been related to increased risks. Upper socioeconomic level women have had contraceptive pills prescribed more often than others. Initial interviews and recordings of gynecologic results have been completed by the Institute for Survey Research for 25,000 American women attending large clinics and group health centers in 9 continental cities and 3 cities in Puerto Rico. Data concerning contraceptive, sexual, and reproductive history have been completed for almost 12,000. Years of education and current age have had a significant effect (p less than .001) on AFC. Gravida was also significantly related to AFC (p less than .001). The AFC of North American blacks was lower than others. Women who chose to use the pill were found to have a higher prevalence of cytologic dysplasia at the time of choice than other women. Data provide no evidence to suggest that the widespread use of oral contraceptives since the mid-1960s has been followed by increasing rates of carcinoma in situ. Other epidemiological research has failed to reveal retrospective associations between oral contraceptive use and abnormal cervical cytology. Present results are consistent with this pattern.

A 54-year-old man developed clinical findings consistent with herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis. These signs included an abrupt onset of focal central nervous system disease, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, localized electroencephalographic abnormalities, and a computerized tomographic scan showing right temporal lobe involvement. Treatment with adenine arabinoside (Ara-A) resulted in improvement. Two months later he again became confused, and a left hemiparesis developed. Although biopsy revealed extensive necrosis and inflammatory response, HSV antigens and herpesvirus particles were not detected. Culture of biopsy tissue yielded HSV type 1 only after 18 days. A second course of Ara-A was administered but the patient failed to improve and died four months later. Extensive inflammatory necrosis of both temporal lobes involving gray and white matter was found. Cultures were negative for HSV. The recovery of virus from our patient during the second encephalitic episode should raise concerns regarding the efficacy of Ara-A treatment and the role of the virus in recurrent disease. In addition, the importance of maintaining biopsy tissue in culture for prolonged periods is emphasized.