Vulvar diseases common in HIV-positive women: increase seen in vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia points to need for more thorough screening.(Clinical Rounds)

Publication: Skin & Allergy News

Publication Date: 01-SEP-05

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COPYRIGHT 2005 International Medical News Group

BETHESDA, MD. -- HIV-infected women shed more human papilloma virus, have higher rates of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, and are diagnosed more frequently with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) than are women who are not infected, Thomas C. Wright Jr., M.D., said at a conference on vulvovaginal diseases.

Women infected with HIV have an increased rate of human papilloma virus (HPV) shedding that is generally estimated at about four times that of HIV-negative women, said Dr. Wright, director of obstetrics, gynecology, and pathology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.

Among HPV-infected women, those who are also infected with HIV have more HPV types than do women without HIV. In one study conducted in New York City, 31% of HIV-positive women had more than one HPV type, vs. 9% of HIV-negative women. A total of 16% and 14% had HPV 16 and HPV 18, respectively, in the HIV-positive group vs. 6% and 3%, respectively, in HIV-negative women.

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