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Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Human Papillomavirus | Research

Evidence for HPV DNA in the placenta of women who resorted to elective abortion

Authors: Maria Teresa Bruno, Salvatore Caruso, Francesca Bica, Giulia Arcidiacono, Sara Boemi

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

It is believed that HPV infection can result in the death of placental trophoblasts and cause miscarriages or preterm birth. In clinical cases of placental villi positive for HPV DNA reported by other authors, contamination is suspected in the act of crossing the cervical canal. We analyzed placental samples of women who resorted to elective abortion obtained by hysterosuction of ovular material, bypassing any contact with the cervical canal and vagina.

Methods

We studied the chorionic villi of the placenta of 64 women who resorted to voluntary termination of pregnancy, in the first trimester. To avoid contamination of the villi by the cervical canal, we analyzed placental samples obtained by hysterosuction of ovular material, bypassing any contact with the cervical canal and vagina. All samples of chorionic villi were manually selected from the aborted material and subjected to research for HPV DNA.

Results

HPV DNA was detected in 10 out of 60 women (16.6%). The HPV DNA identified in the placenta belonged to genotypes 6, 16, 35, 53, and 90.

Conclusion

The study shows that papillomavirus DNA can infect the placenta and that placenta HPV infection can occur as early as the first trimester of pregnancy.
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Metadata
Title
Evidence for HPV DNA in the placenta of women who resorted to elective abortion
Authors
Maria Teresa Bruno
Salvatore Caruso
Francesca Bica
Giulia Arcidiacono
Sara Boemi
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03937-9

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