Title thesis: Dynamics of genital human papillomavirus in young women

Schmeink presented in her thesis work that is based on the longitudinal data of a large prospective epidemiologic study in young women in the pre-vaccine era. In this cohort the Viba Brush was used. The main objective is to focus on the incidence, clearance and persistence of HPV, and associated risk factors like age, sexual behavior, oral contraceptives and pregnancy.

Schmeink described the HPV incidence rates in young females, and whether the relation with the sexual behaviour is age-dependent. Furthermore, the clearance rate of type-specific infections and whether re-infection with the same type takes place during 12 months of follow-up was studied. Additionally, the potential factors influencing type-specific HPV clearance like age, smoking and sexual behaviour were evaluated.

Factors potentially influencing the dynamics of HPV, such as the potential influence from oral contraceptive pill use and sample timing within the menstrual cycle, and the potential influence of pregnancy on HPV detection are described in this thesis. Follow-up data were related to the results of type-specific HPV detection with available cytology results. The Cervex-Brush was used for Pap smears.