Comparison of HPV neutralizing and IgG antibodies in unvaccinated female adolescents

Abstract

Aims: To analyze the consistency between HPV-neutralizing antibodies and specific total IgG antibodies in unvaccinated females. Materials & methods: Serum samples from 978 unvaccinated Chinese females aged 9–26 years were measured for antibodies against HPV-16 and HPV-18 using simultaneous pseudovirus-based neutralization assay and ELISA. Results: There was a moderate level of consistency between HPV-neutralizing antibodies and specific IgG in females aged 18–26 years (Cohen's κ coefficient for HPV-16 and HPV-18: 0.52 and 0.38) and poor consistency in those aged 9–17 years (Cohen's κ coefficient <0.05). However, Cohen's κ coefficient remained almost unchanged in sensitivity analysis when the IgG antibody cutoff value was raised. Conclusion: HPV-neutralizing antibodies are a more specific indicator for the evaluation of HPV natural humoral immunity.