Cytological regression and clearance of high-risk human papillomavirus in women with an abnormal cervical smear

We studied the natural course of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infec tion and cytological regression in women referred for colposcopy because of abnormal cervical smears. We found that high-risk HPV clearance preceded r egression of cervical lesions by an average of 3 months. The cumulative I-y ear rate of cytological regression was similar in women with mild and moder ate dyskaryotic cervical smears. Thus, retesting of high-risk HPV after 6 m onths in women with mild to moderate dyskaryosis predicts cytological regre ssion.