Clinical observation on vertical transmission of human papillomavirus

Objective: To observe the possibility of maternal-fetal vertical transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV) via amniotic fluid.

Methods: Specimens of cervical secretions from 30 pregnant women were obtained during the third trimester before rupture of membrane, and specimens of pharyngeal secretions of their neonates were obtained 12-48 hours after birth. Amniotic fluids were collected in 13 pregnant women during cesarean section. The presence of HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 38 deoxyribonucleic acid were detected by consensus polymerase chain reaction.

Results: HPV deoxyribonucleic acid was found in 16 cervical specimens, 14 pharyngeal specimens and in 3 amniotic fluids, the positive rate was 53.3%, 46.7%, 23.1% respectively. The pharyngeal specimen was also HPV positive in one of the three neonates from the amniotic fluid positive mothers.

Conclusions: The results indicate that HPV can be transmitted in utero through amniotic fluid and cesarean section can not protect the neonates against vertical transmission completely.