Transmission of HPV in general

Other types of genital contact in the absence of penetrative intercourse (oral-genital, manual-genital, and genital-genital contact) leading to HPV transmission have been described, but these routes of transmission are less common than sexual intercourse (21;88-90). For example, a recent study of college-aged women in Seattle reported a two-year genital HPV incidence rate of 39% among sexually active women and 8% among women who had not engaged in penetrative vaginal intercourse. Almost all of the infections in women who had not engaged in sexual intercourse appeared to be related to genital contact other than penetrative intercourse (21).

This study also found minimal evidence of HPV transmission through oral sex (either transmitted from the genital area to the mouth or the mouth to the genital area) (21). Genital HPV infection also may be transmitted by non-sexual routes, but this is extremely uncommon. Non-sexual routes of genital HPV transmission include transmission from a mother to a newborn baby, which is rare (91;92), and transmission by inanimate objects such as environmental surfaces and clothing, which has been hypothesized but has never been documented (93-96).****

Transmission of HPV through routes other than sexual is definitely possible. One may be exposed to HPV simply by shaking hands as suggested in the finding of HPV virus under fingernails. Sexually Transmitted Infections 1999 Oct;75(5):317-9:

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA on the fingers of patients with genital warts.

Sonnex C, Strauss S, Gray JJ, Department of GU Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, England.

“14 men and eight women with genital warts had cytobrush samples taken from genital lesions, finger tips, and tips of finger nails. Samples were examined for the presence of HPV DNA by the polymerase chain reaction.

HPV DNA was detected in all female genital samples and in 13/14 male genital samples. HPV DNA was detected in the finger brush samples of three women and nine men. The same HPV type was identified in genital and hand samples in one woman and five men.

This study has identified hand carriage of genital HPV types in patients with genital warts. Although sexual intercourse is considered the usual mode of transmitting genital HPV infection, our findings raise the possibility of transmission by finger-genital contact.”

Condoms offer little protection against HPV since any skin-to-skin contact can result in transmission of the virus.

Genital human papillomavirus infection: incidence and risk factors in a cohort of female university students.

Winer RL, Lee SK, Hughes JP, Adam DE, Kiviat NB, Koutsky LA. Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98103, USA.

"Incidence data on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are limited, and risk factors for transmission are largely unknown. The authors followed 603 female university students in Washington State at 4-month intervals between 1990 and 2000. At each visit, a sexual and health questionnaire was completed and cervical and vulvovaginal samples were collected to detect HPV DNA. At 24 months, the cumulative incidence of first-time infection was 32.3% (95% confidence interval: 28.0, 37.1). Incidences calculated from time of new-partner acquisition were comparable for enrolled virgins and nonvirgins. Smoking, oral contraceptive use, and report of a new male sex partner––in particular, one known for less than 8 months before sex occurred or one reporting other partners––were predictive of incident infection.

Always using male condoms with a new partner was not protective. Infection in virgins was rare, but any type of nonpenetrative sexual contact was associated with an increased risk. Detection of oral HPV was rare and was not associated with oral-penile contact. The data show that the incidence of HPV associated with acquisition of a new sex partner is high and that nonpenetrative sexual contact is a plausible route of transmission in virgins."

Transmission of genital human papillomavirus infections is unlikely through the floor and seats of humid dwellings in countries of high-level hygiene.

Puranen M, Syrjanen K, Syrjanen S Department of Pathology, University of Kuopio, Finland.

"To evaluate the transmission of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) through the floor and seats of humid dwellings, samples were collected with a toothbrush from the floor and seat surfaces of humid dwellings; showers, saunas and dressing rooms. The survey included 3 bathing resorts, 1 indoor swimming pool, 2 schools and 2 private homes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the human beta-globin gene and HPV DNA. The results for HPV DNA amplification were confirmed by Southern blot hybridization under low stringency using a probe mixture of HPV types 6, 16, 18 and 31. beta-globin could be amplified only from 3 sample taken from a dressing room of and indoor public swimming pool. No HPV DNA-positive samples were found. These results indicate that transmission of genital HPV infection via floor or seat surfaces in the above dwellings in general or family use is highly unlikely."

Rice PS, Cason J, Best JM, Banatvala JE. Department of Virology, Guy's, Kings and St Thomas' Medical School, Kings College London, St Thomas' Hospital, UK.

"It is well recognized that high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are spread by sexual activity, but the possibility of non-sexual transmission remains controversial. We present evidence for vertical transmission from at least 30% HPV positive mothers to their infants, resulting in persistent infection in children. That the mother is the source of infant infection has been confirmed by DNA sequencing. We also discuss the evidence for oral HPV-16 infection in children.

In our own studies, HPV-16 DNA was detected in buccal cells from 48% children, aged 3-11 and transcriptionally active infection was confirmed in some children. Other studies have reported prevalences of 19%-27% among children less than 11 years of age. Studies that have failed to detect high-risk HPVs in children have used techniques which were insufficiently sensitive to detect the low levels of virus present. Serological studies also suggest that < or = 45% prepubertal children have acquired HPV-16. Thus, convincing evidence is now available for vertical transmission of high risk HPVs, which probably results in widespread infection among children. The consequences of such infections remain to be elucidated."

Presence of antibodies to human papillomavirus virus-like particles (VLPs) in 11-13-year-old schoolgirls.

Cubie HA, Plumstead M, Zhang W, de Jesus O, Duncan LA, Stanley MA. Regional Clinical Virology Laboratory, City Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.

"To allow meaningful approaches to vaccine development, it is important to know the extent of exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV) within the general population, and particularly the age at which the at risk population is infected. The humoral response to human papillomavirus is directed largely to conformationally-dependent epitopes on the whole virion. Virus-like particles (VLPs) of HPV types 1, 2, and 16 were produced using a baculovirus expression system, and were used in the intact state as antigen in an indirect ELISA. Anonymised serum samples from a cohort of Edinburgh schoolgirls were tested for the presence of IgG antibodies directed against the VLPs. The reproducibility of the ELISA was assured by repeated testing of control samples, and by testing all samples in duplicate and, where possible, on several occasions.

Of 1,192 tested with the HPV16 VLPs, 90 (7.6%) were classified as clearly positive, and a further 87 (7.3%) were positive but close to the cutoff calculated by comparison with a group of consistently negative sera. Antibodies to HPV2 were detected in 37.5% (407/1,139) and antibodies to HPV 1 in 51.9% (558/1,076) of the schoolgirls. Antibodies to both HPV1 and HPV2 were found frequently, being present in 29.7% (295/ 993) of samples tested; 40 samples had antibodies to all three types. The significance of these results is discussed."

Detection of human papillomavirus types 6 and 11 in pubic and perianal hair from patients with genital warts.

Boxman IL, Hogewoning A, Mulder LH, Bouwes Bavinck JN, ter Schegget J. Department of Virology, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

"Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11 are of clinical importance due to their role in the development of anogenital warts. A pilot study was performed to investigate whether DNAs from HPV types 6 and 11 are present in hairs plucked from the pubic and perianal regions and eyebrows of patients with genital warts at present and patients with a recent history of genital warts. Genital HPV DNA was detected in 9 of 25 (36%) pubic hair samples and in 11 of 22 (50%) perianal hair samples by the CPI/CPIIg PCR. After sequencing of 17 of 20 samples, HPV type 6 or 11 was detected in 6 of 25 (24%) hair samples from the pubis and 8 of 22 (36%) hair samples from the perianal region. These types were not detected in plucked eyebrow hairs. In contrast, the HPV types associated with epidermodysplasia verruciformis were detected in similar proportions (62%) in both samples of pubic and eyebrow hairs.

Moreover, HPV type 6 and 11 DNAs were detected in pubic hairs plucked from two patients who had been successfully treated and who did not show any lesion at the time of hair collection; this finding is an argument that HPV DNA may persist in this region. The presence of genital HPV types in plucked pubic and perianal hair suggests that there is an endogenous reservoir for HPV which may play a role in the recurrences of genital warts."

The fact that the sheep were asleep before is not a reason to go back to sleep once we've woken up.

I'll be the first to admit I didn't think too much about vaccines until recently, but government at all levels has lost my trust, and I will question everything it tries to compel me to do.

In the same way I will question the statist record of every candidate, and anyone who wants my vote will have to earn it.

I don't trust any of them, and I doubt I ever will again.

Information.

It’s always a good thing.

Bump!

The vaccine is formulated for four strains of HPV. There are over 20 strains of HPV. Therefore, yearly paps are still required to catch HPV regardless of vaccination.

There are over 100 strains of HPV, some of which cause warts and some cause dysplastic changes. Two of the strains the vaccine guards against are the most virulent with regards to causing cancer; other strains cause cancer, but not as quickly, and some of the dysplasias never develop into cancer. I do not know the cross-reactivity of the vaccine with other virus strains.

The question obviously is whether you as the parent should be making that choice—or if it should be mandated by the state because the drug manufacturer purchased access to the right pols.

I can’t fault Bachmann or Palin for going with the former rather than the latter.

As to the question re: Perry, it’s relevance is both his governing philosophy is very authoritative. He basically says he’s for any mandate that might save lives. (That’s still very Democrat-like despite his having switched parties, IMO) A second question is whether the long-held belief in Texas is correct that he is an especially avid practitioner of crony capitalism—and his Gardasil executive order is an example of that.

“why would anyone NOT want their child protected”

You mean because there is absolutely zero chance of side effects everyone should get this?

If only life were so simple. Unfortunately there are always decisions to be made about risk versus reward. There are side effects from this vaccine.

Look at the commercials for attorneys doing class action lawsuits. It is always a 'new' med.

90% of those lawsuits are fraudulent with bogus claims. If someone comes down with any kind of symptom after taking a new medication it is blamed on the "new drug" and then the lawyers circle like vultures.

Is it any wonder new drugs cost so damn much?

Don't judge the safety of a drug by the lawyers who hawk their services on daytime TV.

And why are you watching daytime TV anyway?

‘________where was everybody______?’

WE WERE HERE, in our community.
But all we did was watch while our daughters’ families refused the hepatitis-b, after reading some information.

However, 1 grandson, now 14, was given the injection in the hospital, after birth.
His parents’ requests were registered, but somehow this got thru. My daughter was beside herself with anger, but ultimately did nothing about it, except to say ‘you weren't supposed to do this.’ And was vigilant after that.

‘There are side effects from this vaccine.’

Right, but our objections are being drowned out, mostly. . .

Actually, they may both be right. Some vaccines are for more dangerous than good. The government relationship with pharmaceutical companies are just a little too cozy. There are many research documents out that challenge what government agencies are spewing. One below is an archive and written by Dr. Blaylock. And, no he is not a quack!

I sure hope this site has just been inundated by left wing operatives. I trust true conservatives would not rationalize and respond with this tyoe of certainty regarding government involved agency and universities.

http://www.whale.to/a/blaylock.html

good thing you didn’t go on avandia! My mother did and it gave her congestive heart failure. of course after her symptoms started and i researched her new meds and found that avandia had that as a side effect she told her doctor about it and they thought we were crazy, silly little internet freaks. she took herself off of it anyway.

Cervical cancer, which is caused by HPV, is one of the 8th most common cancers for women in the U.S. Thanks to increased cancer screening, fewer women are dying than in previous years. However, the reduction of cervical cancer through HPV vaccinations would be dramatic. I would prefer that both sexes were immunized from HPV infection nation wide before they engage in sexual contact.

And sometimes our young women get HPV without inappropriate intercourse. It’s sad when hpv infects anyone, but for those who’ve done it right and STILL get hpv, that’s a crying shame.

And that’s why a gardasil vaccination is not a bad thing.

“It strikes me as a Dad, that my daughters have a chance of getting HPV, even if she isn’t sexually promiscuous. This is especially true if she thinks her husband is uninfected but he doesn’t realize he is or has lied about his own promiscuity.

I would worry about my daughters.

In short, I’d accept the immunization and not pursue the opt-out were I a resident of Texas. As it is, I’d recommend the immunization to them.”

This is the same conclusion we reached, but one can't focus exclusively on the “benefit” (reduced chance of HPV infection) side. There are real risks (side effects) to the HPV vaccination, and these must be weighed against the benefits. And I think we all agree that this is a calculation best made by parents and not the state.

I support the “opt out” instead of the “opt in” for these reasons:

The opt out says - this is serious and you need to think about it.

The opt in says - this is so insignificant that you can take it or leave it.

I support the “opt out” instead of the “opt in” for these reasons:

The opt out says - this is serious and you need to think about it.

The opt in says - this is so insignificant that you can take it or leave it.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.