Cervical infections by multiple human papilloma-virus (HPV) genotypes: prevalence and impact on the risk of precancerous epithelial lesions

摘要

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection plays a central part in the etiology of cervical neoplasia and its precursor lesions. These are sustained by a very diverse array of viral types that differ in oncogenic potential, tissue preference, geographical and age distribution, and clearance or persistence rates. The advent of multivalent type-specific vaccines mandates the knowledge of the distribution of HPV types in the target population and the solid understanding of the dynamics of infection that might arise as a consequence of cross-protection or competition among types.