A. Anderssonellstrom et al., EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS DNA IN THE UTERINE CERVIX OF TEENAGE GIRLS, Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 76(8), 1997, pp. 779-783
Objectives. To: (i) evaluate longitudinally the prevalence of Epstein-
Barr virus (EBV) DNA in the cervix of healthy teenage girls, (ii) rela
te the presence of cervical EBV DNA to virginity or sexual experience,
and (iii) relate the occurrence of cervical EBV DNA to the presence o
f specific IgG antibodies to EBV virus capsid antigen (EBV-VCA) in ser
um and to signs of genital infection. Material and methods. Thirty-six
teenage girls were followed for 2 years between the ages of 16 and 18
years. A sexual history was taken and a gynecological examination was
performed on each occasion. The presence of EBV DNA in the cervix and
of EBV VCA antibodies in serum was determined on each occasion. Resul
ts. Coitus debut was reported by 23/36 girls (64%) and by 31/36 (86%)
at 16- and 18-years of age, respectively. Two girls (only one with sex
ual debut) harbored EBV DNA in the cervix at 16 years of age. At the a
ge of 18, no EBV DNA was found in these two girls, but another three g
irls carried EBV DNA in the cervix. All were sexually active and repor
ted 1, 4 and 7 life-time sexual partners respectively Serum EBV-VCA an
tibodies were found in 83% of the 16-year old girls and in 89% of the
18-year old girls (no significant difference between sexually experien
ced and virginal girls at either age). All the girls with cervical EBV
DNA had antibodies against EBV-VCA. None of the girls with EBV DNA we
re found to carry HPV DNA or have a chlamydial infection in the cervix
at any time during the study. There was no significant difference in
the number of girls with a cervix secretion predominated by leucocytes
between girls with positive and negative cervical EBV DNA samples. Co
nclusions. We conclude that among these healthy teenage girls the non-
sexual route of transmission of EBV is more plausible than the sexual
one.