Prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus and human papillomavirus in cervical samples from women attending an STD-clinic

A group of 91 women attending the STD-clinic, Department of Dermato-venereology, Sahlgrenska Hospital, Gothenburg, were screened for EBV DNA and HPV DNA of the cervix with the PCR-technique. Presence of EBV DNA was demonstrated in 35 (38%) women and HPV DNA in 30 (33%) women. Fourteen (15%) women had both EBV DNA and HPV DNA present. Without the colposcope 20 of these women had macroscopic signs of HPV infection on the vulva and/or vagina and 71 had no signs of infection. Presence of EBV DNA was not correlated to clinical signs of HPV infection.