The presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in placenta and/or cord blood might result in Th2 polarization.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if an early exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV) during the prenatal period or infancy could result in HPV16-specific T helper (Th) responses resembling those of adults with HPV-induced lesions. We tested HPV16-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in children born with HPV-positive umbilical cord blood and/or placenta or having persistent oral HPV infection and in constantly oral HPV-negative controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 33 children from the Finnish HPV Family Study cohort (mean age 14.7 years) were stimulated with peptide pools covering the amino acid sequence of the HPV16 E2, E6, and E7 proteins. Lymphocyte proliferation, secretion of cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-17A), and the frequency of Foxp3+ regulatory T-cells were determined in relation to the HPV DNA status during a 14-year follow-up. 73.6% of cases and 85.7% of controls responded against HPV16 E2, while reactivity against E6 was found in 10.5 and 35.7%, respectively. The proliferative response against E6 and E7 was more frequent in controls than in cases (p = 0.047). No HPV16-specific CMI response or antibodies were detected in two children with persistent oral HPV16. The profiles of induced cytokines indicated higher levels of IL-5, IL-10, and IL-17A in children with HPV DNA in placenta and/or cord blood than in other children. HPV16-specific CMI is common in HPV DNA-negative children. The cytokine profile in children infected with HPV16 during early life suggests that the viral dose and/or specific environment created by the placenta may have significant impact on the type of HPV-specific immunity.

Lack of type-specific concordance between human papillomavirus (HPV) serology and HPV DNA detection in the uterine cervix and oral mucosa.

There is limited knowledge about longitudinal genotype-specific concordance between human papillomavirus (HPV) serology and co-existent presence of HPV DNA in the uterine cervix. The role of oral HPV infections in inducing serological response is unclear, as is the effect of HPV antibodies on the outcome of oral HPV infections. The present study is part of the Finnish Family HPV Study designed to evaluate dynamics of HPV infections within families. Here, we correlated the point prevalence of HPV6, 11, 16, 18 and 45 antibodies and concomitant genotype-specific HPV DNA detection in cervical and oral samples of 323 mothers during their 3 year (mean 37.5 months) follow-up. The mean age of these pregnant mothers at enrolment (third trimester) was 25.5 years. HPV antibodies were analysed with multiplex HPV serology and HPV genotyping was performed using a Multimetrix kit (Progen Biotechnik). There was no concordance between cervical DNA detection and co-existent seropositivity, and the same was true even in samples taken 12 months apart. Women who cleared their cervical HPV16 infection had the highest HPV16 antibody levels, whereas those who acquired incident HPV16 infections had the lowest antibody levels. Neither the presence nor the dynamics of oral HPV DNA had any correlation with HPV serology.

Iodine in Finnish foods.

The iodine content of Finnish foods was analysed and the average daily intake of iodine estimated according to national food consumption statistics. The average calculated intake was 340 micrograms/d/person, although an extensive seasonal variation was found in the estimate for the summer season (280 micrograms) and for the winter season (400 micrograms). The intake is from 4 to 5 times greater now than it was in the mid 1950's, when endemic goitre was common in Finland. The most significant sources of iodine in the average Finnish diet are dairy products, which also cause the seasonal variation in intake. Iodized table salt and eggs are other important sources. The present level of intake can be considered adequate and the further intensification of prohylactic practices with iodine unnecessary.

Strontium in Finnish foods.

The strontium content of Finnish foods was analyzed and the average daily intake of strontium estimated according to national food consumption statistics. The average intake was 1.9 mg of Sr/d/person, which is well within the range of intakes found in other industrialized countries. The most important sources were dairy products (35%), and vegetables and fruits (32%). The strontium contents of foods showed a highly significant correlation with their calcium contents. No special problem was evident in dietary strontium in Finland.