Namujju, B. ProscoviaHedman, LeaHedman, KlausBanura, CecilyMbidde, K EdwardKizito, DennisonByaruhanga, RomanoMuwanga, MosesKirnbauer, ReinhardSurcel, Heljä-MarjaLehtinen, Matti2021-04-162021-04-162011-06-06Namujju, P.B., Hedman, L., Hedman, K., Banura, C., Mbidde, E.K., Kizito, D., Byaruhanga, R.N., Muwanga, M., Kirnbauer, R., Surcel, H.M. and Lehtinen, M., 2011. Low avidity of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 antibodies is associated with increased risk of low-risk but not high-risk HPV type prevalence. BMC research notes, 4(1), pp.1-5.1756-0500http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12280/2659Background Low avidity of antibodies against viral, bacterial and parasitic agents has been used for differential diagnosis of acute versus recent/past infections. The low-avidity antibodies may however, persist for a longer period in some individuals. Findings We studied the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 antibody avidity with seroprevalence to HPV types 6/11/18/31/33/45. Antibody avidity was analysed for 365 HPV16 seropositive pregnant Finnish and Ugandan women using a modified ELISA. Low avidity of HPV16 antibodies was found in 15% of Finnish and 26% of Ugandan women. Ugandan women with low-avidity HPV16 antibodies had an increased risk estimate for HPV6/11 (odds ratio, OR 2.9; 95%CI 1.01-8.4) seropositivity but not to high-risk HPV types 18/31/33/45. Conclusion Association of the low avidity HPV16 antibody "phenotype" with possible susceptibility to infections with other HPV types warrants investigation.enLow AvidityHuman PapillomavirusAntibodiesHPV TypePrevalencePrevalenceArticle