Detection of Human Papillomaviruses in the Nasopharynx of Breastfed Infants: New Findings and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Vertical transmission of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) from mother to infant is known to occur during labor, delivery or breastfeeding. Infection with mucosal HPV 6 and 11 may cause recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in children, which is a rare and severe respiratory disease. The cutaneous HPV genotypes have also been described to be transmitted from mother to newborn through skin-to-skin contacts and during breastfeeding. To investigate the perinatal transmission of alpha and beta HPVs we collected nasopharyngeal specimens from 0–12-months-old infants born by vaginal delivery and breastfed at the time of sample collection. The mucosal and cutaneous HPVs were searched by nested PCR using the MY09/11-MGPs and CP65/70-CP66/69 primer sets, respectively, and genotypes identified by direct sequencing analysis. Fourteen out of 113 (12.4%) samples tested positive for HPV and sequence analysis allowed us to identify eight beta genotypes (HPV 5b, 20, 25, 100, 107, 124, 152 and RTRX7). Moreover, we performed a comprehensive review of published studies on the prevalence of mucosal and cutaneous HPVs among 5126 newborns and observed that 10% and 53% were positive for alpha and beta HPVs, respectively. In all studies there was an inverse correlation between the rate of alpha HPV positivity and age, while a significant positive trend was observed in beta HPV detection and age with the highest rate among children older than 12 months (Χ2 test for trend of 10.6, p < 0.001). Further studies are needed to confirm the hypothesis that beta HPVs are transmitted to breastfeeding infants through shedding of viruses in the breast milk or on the external breast epithelium.

HPV-Associated Benign Squamous Cell Papillomas in the Upper Aero-Digestive Tract and Their Malignant Potential

“…The transmission of cutaneous HPV genotypes from a mother to her newborn is thought to occur through skin-to-skin contact and during breastfeeding. Recently, Dassi et al (2020) collected nasopharyngeal specimens from 0–12-month-old infants born by vaginal delivery (and breastfed at the time of sample collection) to investigate the perinatal transmission of α- and β-HPVs [ 121 ]. In total, 14 out of 113 (12.4%) samples tested positive for HPV and sequence analysis identified 8 β-genotypes (HPV 5b, 20, 25, 100, 107, 124, 152, and RTRX7).…”

“…However, though not widely studied yet, HPV-genotypes belonging to either β-, or γ-genera have been detected in sinonasal-, oral- and pharyngeal SCPs. [ 121 ]. More studies are clearly warranted to explore the role of β- and γ-HPV infections in the upper-aero-digestive tract, particularly in early childhood.…”

Role of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Prevention of Male Infertility

“…The most common transmission routes of HPV are genitalto-genital contact and hand-to-genital contact. Although rare, transmission through breastfeeding and vertical transmission through the placenta in pregnant female have also been reported [17][18][19].…”

Proteases and HPV-Induced Carcinogenesis

“…However, other transmission routes are also known [18]. Studies have demonstrated the vertical transmission of HPV from mother to fetus, as well as the presence of HPV viral DNA in breast milk, amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord, and the placenta [19][20][21]. Newborns can also become infected through skin-to-skin contact with other relatives, as well as oral lesions related to HPV infection, such as oral squamous papilloma, condyloma acuminatum, verruca vulgaris, and multifocal epithelial hyperplasia; genital HPV infection in children is a warning sign for sexual abuse [22][23][24][25].…”