Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to verify the association of HPV infection in the cervix and the mouth of pregnant adolescents. Methods: Clinical exam and smears of the cervix and the mouth were performed in thirty pregnant adolescents. Dental biofilm was collected for molecular evaluation. The cytology was analyzed using Bethesda criteria and the molecular evaluation by microarray assay. Associations of HPV infection with socio-demographic-behavioral characteristics and periodontal status were verified. Results: The mean age of participants was 15.2 [± 1.3] years, and the mean pregnancy length was 28.8 [± 7.3] weeks. In the genital region, six (20%) subjects exhibited HPV-induced lesions. Cytological analysis showed HPV-induced cytophatic cells in 3 (10%) adolescents. Seventeen (56.7%) adolescents presented HPV DNA on the microarray assay. No HPV infection was detected in the mouth, either by clinical, cytological or molecular evaluation. All pregnant adolescents presented some degree of periodontal disease (n = 22 [73.3%] gingivitis and n = 8 [26.6%] periodontitis). Genital HPV infection was significantly more frequent in subjects with gingivitis (P < 0.05, Fisher exact test). There was no concordance between clinical exam and cytological/molecular assessment to identify the HPV infection in the genital area (clinical and cytological: P = 0.103; clinical and molecular: P = 0.198; cytological and molecular: P = 0.157; Kappa test). Conclusion: The microarray assay was more sensitive to detect HPV infection in the cervix, when compared to clinical exam and cytological analysis. There was no association of the HPV infection in the genitalia and the mouth, in the studied population of pregnant adolescents.

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