Analysis of the Transmission Route of Human Papillomavirus in Heterosexual Couples

Lee, Hyo Pyo; Jeon, Hye Won

Abstract

Carcinoma of the uterine cervix has been considered to be a sexually transmitted disease(STD) and at present time, particullary human papillomavirus (HPV) is considered as the most likely infectious causative agents of uterine cervical cancer. But less is known about the sexual transmission of HPV and the status of HPV infection of male partner. Therefore, screenng of couples for HPV is very important for understanding HPV infection as a sexually transmitted disease and prevention of cervical carcinoma. The polymerase chain reaction(PCR) was employed to detect HPV 16 and 18 in cytological samples from the uterine cervix of the patients with cervical carcinoma(4 CIS and 34 invasive cervical carcinoma) and from urethral metatus and glans sulcus of their male consorts. The results are as follows; 1. HPV 16 or 18 were detected in 31(81.6%) of 38 patients with cervical cancer(HPV 16; 78.9%(30/38), HPV 1S; 28.9%(11/38), HPV 16 and 18; 26.3%(10/38)), 2. HPV 16 was detected in 27(90,0%) of 30 males whose wives were positive for HPV 16. But HPV 18 was detected in only 3(27.3%) of 11 male consorts whose wives were positive for HPV 18. And HPV 1S was detected in all male consorts whose wives were positive for HPV 16. In addition, HPV 16 or 18 were positive in 3 of 7(42.9%) male consorts whose wives were negative for HPV 16 and 18. Conclusively, these results suggest that HPV might be transmitted by sexual contacts in heterosexual couples.