SEROPOSITIVITY AGAINST HPV-16 CAPSIDS - A BETTER MARKER OF PAST SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR THAN PRESENCE OF HPV DNA

Objectives: To assess if seropositivity to human papillomavirus type 1 6 capsids is a better marker of sexual history than the presence of HP V DNA. Study design: A population based age stratified random sample o f 234 Norwegian women (mean age 32.8 years, range 20-44) was examined for HPV 16 serum antibodies, cervical HPV DNA, cytology and age in rel ation to sexual behaviour. Results: Neither age nor age at first sexua l intercourse was associated with HPV 16 antibodies. Adjusted ORs for 4-5, 6-10 and > 10 versus 0-1 lifetime sexual partners, were 13.1 (95% CI 1.5-110.8), 8.2 (1.0-69.6) and 10.5 (1.2-94.0) for HPV 16 seroposi tivity, respectively; and 2.6 (0.2-27.8), 3.4 (0.4-31.7) and 4.1 (0.4- 42.8) for HPV 16 DNA positivity, respectively. Conclusion: Seropositiv ity to HPV 16 capsids is positively associated with the number of sexu al partners, suggesting that HPV 16 is predominantly sexually transmit ted. The fact that serology had a stronger association with number of sexual partners than viral DNA suggests that seroreactivity is a bette r measure of lifetime history of HPV infection.