Kinetics of DNA load predict HPV 16 viral clearance

• Main Authors: Marks M., Gravitt P., Utaipat U., Gupta S., Liaw K., Kim E., Tadesse A., Phongnarisorn C., Wootipoom V., Yuenyao P., Vipupinyo C., Rugpao S., Sriplienchan S., Celentano D.
• Format: Journal
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=79953751602&origin=inward; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/jspui/handle/6653943832/43069
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

Introduction: While high HPV 16 viral load measured at a single time point is associated with cervical disease outcomes, few studies have assessed changes in HPV 16 viral load on viral clearance. Objective: To measure the association between changes in HPV 16 viral load and viral clearance in a cohort of Thai women infected with HPV 16. Study design: Fifty women (n=50) between the ages of 18-35 years enrolled in a prospective cohort study were followed up every three months for two years. Women positive for HPV 16 DNA by multiplex TaqMan © assay at two or more study visits were selected for viral load quantitation using a type-specific TaqMan © based real-time PCR assay. The strength of the association of change in viral load between two visits and viral clearance at the subsequent visit was assessed using a GEE model for binary outcomes. Results: At study entry, HPV 16 viral load did not vary by infection outcome. A > 2. log decline in viral load across two study visits was found to be strongly associated with viral clearance (AOR: 5.5, 95% CI: 1.4-21.3). HPV 16 viral load measured at a single time point was not associated with viral clearance. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that repeated measurement of HPV 16 viral load may be a useful predictor in determining the outcome of early endpoints of viral infection. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.