High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Detection and Related Risk Factors Among Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women in Mexico

Abstract

Our results are consistent with other studies reporting increased high-risk HPV detection rates among pregnant women. HPV-positive status in pregnant and nonpregnant women appears to be influenced by age. The decrease in HPV positivity by number of pregnancies in both currently pregnant and nonpregnant women is consistent with a possible effect of immune protection as a result of earlier HPV infections. Despite lack of information about a woman's history of sexual behavior, these data support the hypothesis that an alteration of immunologic responses during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of HPV acquisition or reactivation.