Seroresponses to virus-like particles of human papillomavirus types 16, 18, 31, 33, and 45 in San People of Southern Africa

Virus‐like particles (VLPs) of the high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, 18, 31, 33, and 45 were used as antigen in enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the prevalence of serum IgG in a group of San people originally from Namibia, now residing in South Africa. The San children had low seroprevalence to all VLP types, but 26/115 (22.6%) of the children were seropositive to at least 1 VLP type. Among the adults, seroprevalence was significantly higher. The seroprevalence of antibodies in 101 San women to VLP‐16 was 16.8%, VLP‐18 18.8%, VLP‐31 12.9%, VLP‐33 17.8%, and VLP‐45 22.8%. Five of the 11 men were seropositive: 2 for VLP‐31, 1 for VLP‐18, 1 for VLP‐33, and 1 for VLP‐45. Seroreactivity appeared to be type specific, except possibly to VLP‐18 and ‐45. Of the adults, 50.5% were seropositive to at least 1 VLP type and 24.8% were seropositive to >1 VLP type. From this study, it is concluded that the San people are exposed to HPV‐16, ‐18, ‐31, ‐33, and ‐45, with antibodies to VLP‐45 being the most prevalent. J. Med. Virol. 60:331–336, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.