Age-specific distribution of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) mucosal infection among young females

The goal of our study was to describe the age-specific distribution of HPV genotypes and related disease among females under the age of 25 years. A prospective cohort study was carried out. We enrolled 85 young females aged 16 25 years (30 aged 16 19 and 55 aged 20 25 years) referred to our colposcopic unit after a repeated abnormal Pap smear result. Every patient underwent an HPV DNA testing, a colposcopy and eventually a cervical biopsy. Participants were proposed to follow-up or treatment on request. Treatment was performed by destructive or excisional laser CO2 therapy. Data were analyzed by Fisher’s Exact test. The overall prevalence of low-risk HPV amounted to 80% among 16 19-year-old girls, while the overall prevalence of high-risk HPV was 85.5% among 20 25-year-old patients. The univariate analysis of chosen characteristics of HPV-disease demonstrates the statistically significative difference of this infection between the two groups of age (P < 0.005). We observed a particular age-specific stratification of HPV genotypes and related disease, which appeared to be characterized by a cut-off at the age of 20 years. According to our data, cervical screening program in Italy seems to start later than the beginning of HPV-related pathology.