High Rate of Multiple Concurrent Human Papillomavirus Infections among HIV-Uninfected South African Adolescents

High Rate of Multiple Concurrent Human Papillomavirus Infections among HIV-Uninfected South African Adolescents

Human papilloma viruses (HPV) cause cervical cancer, the single largest cause of years of life lost from cancer in the developing world. While most infections with HPV are transient, some infections persist, causing cervical dysplasia, and ultimately invasive cervical cancer. The impact of multiple concurrent infections with two or more different HPV genotypes on the natural history of infection and cervical disease is a matter of controversy.