Betapapillomaviruses (beta PVs) may contribute to the aetiology of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. However, no high-risk types have yet been identified, possibly because the high frequency of co... Show moreBetapapillomaviruses (beta PVs) may contribute to the aetiology of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. However, no high-risk types have yet been identified, possibly because the high frequency of co-infection prevents a straightforward analysis of the independent effects of individual viruses. This study aimed to determine whether specific virus types were more likely to co-occur than others, thereby reducing the number of parameters needed in statistical models. Antibody data were analysed from controls who participated in case-control studies in The Netherlands, Italy and Australia and from participants in the German Nutrition Survey. Cluster analysis and two ordination techniques were used to identify patterns. Evidence of clustering was found only according to the number of viruses to which antibodies were detected. The lack of clustering of specific viral types identified suggests that if there are beta PV types that are independently related to skin carcinogenesis, they are unlikely to be identified using standard epidemiological methods. Show less
Betapapillomavirus (mu PV) DNA and seroresponses are highly prevalent in the general population and both are frequently used as infection markers in epidemiological studies to elucidate an... Show moreBetapapillomavirus (mu PV) DNA and seroresponses are highly prevalent in the general population and both are frequently used as infection markers in epidemiological studies to elucidate an association with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Little is known about the natural history of beta PV infection and the aspects of infection that drive antibody responses. To investigate the relationship between these markers, this study assessed whether the presence or persistence of beta PV DNA in eyebrow hairs and L1 antibodies of the same beta PV type co-occurred more frequently than would be expected by chance in both a cross-sectional assessment and a longitudinal study. beta PV DNA in plucked eyebrow hairs and L1 antibodies in serum were measured in 416 participants of the Australian community-based Nambour Skin Cancer Study in 1996. Similar data were available for a subset of 148 participants in 2003. Observed co-occurrence of beta PV DNA and antibodies was compared with expected values based on prevalence. A case-wise concordance index was used to calculate the overall concordance of beta PV DNA and antibodies of the same type. No significant associations were found between the presence or persistence of beta PV DNA and antibody responses. The age and sex of the host did not influence the association, and nor did SCC status or a history of sunburns. It was concluded that beta PV antibody responses in adults are not primarily driven by beta PV infection as measured in eyebrow hairs. Other factors, such as viral load, may play a more pivotal role in the induction of detectable seroresponses. Show less
