Co-occurrence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in newborns and their parents

BACKGROUND: The potential HPV transmission route includes horizontal transmission “in utero” and vertical transmission from parents. Less is known about the role of child’s father as a potential source of HPV infection and involved in the pathogen’s epidemic chain. A possible consequence of perinatal infection includes HPV-related childhood diseases and carrying the risk of cervical cancer development in female offspring. In view of the evidence, studies of HPV co-occurrence in one or both parents and their offspring seem vital for the implementation of respective preventive measures. Consequently, the aim of this study was to determine the incidence of common HPV 16/18 infections in newborns and their parents, and to assess its role of the periconceptional transmission. METHODS: To determine the incidence of common HPV infections in newborns from single pregnancies and their parents. The study included 146 pregnant women, as well as their partners, and newborns. They were tested for the presence of HPV 16/18 DNA using the PCR method. HPV types 16 and/or 18 were identified using type-specific PCR primers. The quality of the extracted DNA was evaluated by PCR using PC03/PC04 β-globin-specific primers. The relationship between the presence of neonatal and parental HPV infection was analyzed using a multivariable regression model. Calculations were carried out with the Statistica 10. RESULTS: The presence of HPV DNA was detected in 19 (13,01%) newborns, 28 (19,18%) mothers, and 20 (13,7%) fathers. The viral DNA was detected in 14 newborns delivered by HPV-positive mothers (OR = 26,08; CI: 8,07-84,31, p < 0.001), 12 descendants of HPV-positive fathers (OR = 22,13; CI: 6,97-70,27, p < 0.001), and 10 children originating from two infected parents (OR = 24,20; CI: 6,84–85,57 p < 0.001). Those findings points to a increase risk of an acquired infection in newborns with HPV-positive parents. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the possible role of the periconceptional transmission in the mode of acquired HPV 16/18 infections.