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.