Correlation between cervical HPV DNA detection and HPV16 seroreactivity measured with L1-only and L1+L2 viral capsid antigens.

Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 infection is the main causal agent of cervical cancer. Most HPV infections clear spontaneously within 1-2 years. Although not all infected women develop detectable HPV antibodies, about 60-70 % seroconvert and retain their antibodies at low levels.

Human papillomavirus type 16 viral load measurement as a predictor of infection clearance.

Viral load measurements may predict whether human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 infections may become persistent and eventually lead to cervical lesions. Today, multiple PCR methods exist to estimate viral load. We tested three protocols to investigate viral load as a predictor of HPV clearance.