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Although infections with multiple human papillomavirus (HPV) types have been reported widely, more information is needed on the occurrence of the different types. We determined the distribution of seroprevalences to multiple HPV types in Finland and Uganda to compare the epidemiology of the different HPV types in the 2 populations. Serum samples were obtained from 2784 Finnish and 1964 Ugandan women (mean ages 22 y and 25 y, respectively) of whom 44% and 57%, respectively, had antibodies to at least 1 of the 7 HPV types (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45) tested ( p < 0.001). Multiple HPV antibody positivity was common. HPV45-seropositive Finns had a higher risk of having antibodies to other high-risk HPV types: HPV18 (odds ratio (OR) = 10.9), HPV31 (OR 6.1), HPV33 (OR 12.2), than their Ugandan counterparts: HPV18 (OR 3.4), HPV31 (OR 2.2), HPV33 (OR 3.3). Increased estimates for being double antibody-positive were also noted among HPV18- and HPV16-seropositive women, but there were no major differences between HPV16-seropositive Finns and Ugandans. In addition to biological and behavioural factors, iatrogenic and societal factors (screening vs no screening) may also result in the different occurrence of infections with the high-risk HPV types in Finland and Uganda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural history of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infections results from interactions of the virus, the host, and multiple cofactors. We studied the association between humoral immune response to HPV and smoking in 191 HPV infected women prospectively. Two follow-up samples (first and last) were analysed for serum cotinine levels, IgA and IgG antibodies to HPV16 and 18, and Chlamydia trachomatis using ELISA methods. HPV DNA analyses were also performed, and HPV16/18 antibodies were detectable in 23 of 40 (57.5%) HPV DNA-positive women. We performed age-stratified analyses and found that young smokers were less likely to develop HPV16/18 antibodies than non-smokers (OR: 0.2, 95% CI 0.0-0.9). Furthermore, they had a significantly decreased tendency of maintaining constant HPV16/18 IgG antibody positivity by the end of the follow-up (OR: 0.1, 95% CI 0.0-0.8). Smoking did not affect the development of HPV antibody responses in women over 30 y of age. Our results suggest that smoking may induce impaired antibody response in HPV16/18-infected young women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To determine whether Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in maternal sera are associated with preeclampsia or gestational hypertension. Methods. C. pneumoniae antibodies and hsCRP levels were measured in maternal serum during first trimester (mean, 10.4 weeks of gestation) using the microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test and a highly sensitive immunoenzymometric assay, respectively. Results. No differences in the IgG antibody levels against C. pneumoniae or hsCRP levels were seen between the women with preeclampsia or gestational hypertension and those in the reference group. However, the women with preeclampsia and preterm delivery had serum IgG antibodies to C. pneumoniae (IgG titre ≥32) significantly more often in their first trimester sera compared with women having preeclampsia and full-term deliveries (p = 0.03). In addition, the proportion of subjects with C. pneumoniae IgG antibodies (IgG titre ≥32) and/or elevated CRP levels (≥3.8 mg/L, upper quartile) was double among the women with preeclampsia and elective preterm delivery compared with the women with preeclampsia who delivered at term (p = 0.01). Conclusion. Our results suggest that chronic C. pneumoniae infection and systemic low-grade inflammation may be associated with preeclampsia requiring elective delivery before 37 weeks gestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents data on 33,000 serum samples studied from July 1989 to June 1996 in Finland, with 6,701 serologically confirmed Puumala virus (PUU) infections. In addition, a PUU serosurvey of 8,000 sera from Finland is presented. On average, 957 PUU infections were detected annually, resulting in an incidence of 19/100,000; mortality was less than 0.1%. The infection was most common in the district of Itä-Savo with an incidence of 90/100,000. The seasonal peak was in November-December; however, the urban population had its incidence peak in August. Local epidemics mirrored bank vole densities, with 3-4-y cycles. Males contracted the disease at a mean age of 40 y, females at 44 y (male:female ratio 2:1). The disease was relatively rare in children and elderly people. The nationwide PUU antibody prevalence for women entering Finnish maternity clinics was 3%, suggesting 5% for the total population. The highest prevalences (7% for young women) were encountered in eastern Finland. In the district with the highest clinical alert, approximately 30% of all PUU infections were estimated to lead to clinical disease with serological confirmation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nutritional factors have been associated with risk of cervical cancer, but it is unclear whether the associations are of etiological significance or secondary to human papillomavirus (HPV) exposure. A delineation of this question requires a prospective study with invasive cancer as the end point. We conducted a nested case-control study in Finland and Sweden within a joint cohort of 405, 000 women followed up for, on average, 4 years. Blood samples from 38 prospective cases of invasive cervical cancer diagnosed between 1985 and 1994 and 116 controls matched for age, country, and sample storage time were available for the study. Levels of retinol or unoxidized alpha-tocopherol in the blood were not risk factors for cervical cancer. However, joint-effect analysis of low levels of retinol disclosed statistically significant (p = 0. 023) synergistic (more than multiplicative) interaction with HPV (HPV16, HPV18, or HPV33) seropositivity (observed relative risk = 2.6, 95% confidence interval = 0.7-8.8, expected relative risk = 0.3). Retinol might act as an effect modifier of the HPV-associated risk for cervical cancer; exposed women may require adequate levels for immunologic surveillance of HPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]