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. 2021 Jul:108:574-581.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.05.064. Epub 2021 May 30.

Maternal human papillomavirus infections at mid-pregnancy and delivery in a Scandinavian mother-child cohort study

Magdalena R Værnesbranden  1 , Johanna Wiik  2 , Katrine Sjøborg  3 , Anne Cathrine Staff  4 , Karin C Lødrup Carlsen  5 , Guttorm Haugen  4 , Gunilla Hedlin  6 , Katarina Hilde  4 , Björn Nordlund  6 , Camilla F Nystrand  7 , Anbjørg Rangberg  7 , Eva Maria Rehbinder  8 , Knut Rudi  9 , Corina Silvia Rueegg  10 , Yvonne Sandberg  7 , Sigrid Sjelmo  3 , Håvard O Skjerven  5 , Cilla Söderhäll  6 , Riyas Vettukattil  5 , Christine M Jonassen  11
Affiliations

Maternal human papillomavirus infections at mid-pregnancy and delivery in a Scandinavian mother-child cohort study

Magdalena R Værnesbranden et al. Int J Infect Dis. 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are common, especially during women's reproductive years, with unclear obstetrical impact. This study aimed to identify HPV prevalence at mid-gestation and delivery, type-specific persistence from mid-gestation to delivery, and risk factors for HPV infection and persistence.

Methods: In 757 women from a Scandinavian prospective mother-child cohort, HPV was analyzed in first-void urine samples at mid-gestation and delivery. We used Seegene Anyplex II HPV28 PCR assay for genotyping and semi-quantifying 28 genital HPV genotypes, including 12 high-risk HPVs (HR-HPV). Socio-demographic and health data were collected through e-questionnaires.

Results: Any-HPV genotype (any of 28 assessed) was detected in 38% of the study cohort at mid-gestation and 28% at delivery, and HR-HPVs in 24% and 16%, respectively. The most prevalent genotype was HPV16: 6% at mid-gestation and 4% at delivery. Persistence of Any-HPV genotype was 52%, as was HR-HPV genotype-specific persistence. A short pre-conception relationship with the child's father and alcohol intake during pregnancy increased HPV infection risk at both time points. Low viral load at mid-gestation was associated with clearance of HPV infections at delivery.

Conclusion: HPV prevalence was higher at mid-gestation compared with delivery, and low viral load was associated with clearance of HPV at delivery.

Keywords: HPV; HPV persistence; HR-HPV; High-risk human papillomavirus; Human papillomavirus; Pregnancy; Viral load.

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