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To assess human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence and genotype distribution by age and cervical cytology/histology status among women undergoing routine gynecological examinations, and to discuss the possible impact on preventive strategies. Liquid-based cytology (LBC) samples were tested for HPV DNA, mRNA, and HPV genotypes. Women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or greater (ASC-US+) and/or at least one positive HPV test were referred to colposcopy. Those with normal colposcopy results had biopsies taken at the 6 and 12 O'clock positions of the normal transformation zone. Of the 5002 women, 515 (10.3%) were <25 and 4487 (89.7%) were ≥25years old. Overall HPV prevalence varied between 10.1% and 16.1% depending on the assay. Risk factors for HPV infection included greater number of recent sexual partners, history of abnormal cervical pathology, age <25years, and smoking. HPV prevalence increased with the cytological and histological severity of cervical lesions. Prevalence of HPV 16/18 was 5.2% and 2.7% in women <25 and ≥25years old, respectively. HPV 16 was the type most strongly associated with a diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or higher (CIN3+) (odds ratio=11.64 vs. HPV 16 absent, P<0.001). A high proportion of high-grade cervical lesions (60.6% of genotyping assay-positive CIN2+) were associated with HPV types 31, 33, 45, 52, or 58. These data indicate that almost all young women could benefit from HPV prophylactic vaccination, but confirm the need for continued cervical screening and highlight the potential benefit of future vaccines targeting a wider range of HPV types., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The vaccinology landscape has changed, with national authorities now being increasingly accountable to new stakeholders such as health insurers, regional regulatory bodies, the media, and civil society. Here, we discuss how civil society organisations (CSOs), such as patient and women's groups, have become important drivers in the introduction and sustainability of new vaccination programs. This shift in public implication in vaccine policy has been well illustrated in the recent introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Europe. Patient and women's groups which were traditionally focused on advocacy of treatments have also become advocates for prevention with the advent of HPV vaccination. Civil society advocacy at the European level supported key resolutions and white papers which in turn informed national recommendations on cervical cancer vaccination. CSOs were also active at the national level, supporting national policy makers. These organisations may bring innovative and effective new approaches to communication on vaccination benefits, using public events, celebrities and various social media. Working with experts, CSOs can also be an important bridge from the science to the lay public. This may provide a vital counterbalance to media hype and antivaccination groups, although CSOs may also be active and vocal opponents of immunization. The successful implementation and sustainability of future vaccination programs against infections such as HIV will be dependent upon the active participation of civil society to inform, to reassure and to maintain public trust., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The causal role of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer has prompted the development of vaccines against HPV. The highest risk of HPV infection is in women aged 16-25 years. Almost all young adult women can benefit from HPV vaccination. There is strong epidemiological and clinical support for vaccination programmes that target sexually active women in this age group to prevent HPV infection, and thus avert the development of HPV-related disease. Furthermore, the implementation of HPV vaccination programmes may benefit the development or awareness of cervical cancer prevention strategies and ultimately reduce the burden of cervical cancer and improve cervical cancer control., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing is widely used in conjunction with Papanicolaou (Pap) testing in cervical cancer screening programs to improve the detection of high-grade lesions. While HPV DNA test sensitivity is good, an improvement in specificity is desired. Detection of HPV mRNA may improve specificity. The APTIMA HPV Assay detects the mRNA of 14 high-risk HPV types in liquid-based cytology specimens., Objective: To evaluate APTIMA HPV Assay performance for detection of high-risk HPV and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) compared to Qiagen's Hybrid Capture 2 HPV DNA (HC2) test., Study Design: Liquid Pap specimens were collected from 800 women referred to colposcopy and tested with the APTIMA HPV Assay and the HC2 test. Complete results were available for 753 subjects. A subset of samples (n = 393) were typed using Roche's Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test., Results: Sensitivity and specificity for detection of high-risk HPV were >92% and 99% for the APTIMA HPV Assay and 93% and 82% for the HC2 test. Clinical sensitivity and specificity were 91% and >55% for detection of CIN 2+, and 98% and 53% for detection of CIN 3+ for the APTIMA HPV Assay; values for the HC2 test were 95% and 47% for CIN 2+, and 99% and 44% for CIN 3+., Conclusions: The APTIMA HPV Assay is sensitive and very specific for detection of high-risk HPV. The APTIMA HPV Assay had similar clinical sensitivity for disease detection but higher clinical specificity than the HC2 test, which may improve patient management and reduce the cost of care.