HPV affect which cervical epithelium (normal or metaplasic?)

[tarsuc]

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Uworld says HPV infects cervical epithelial cells that have undergone metaplasia, (due to physiological vaginal acidity,) and then leads to dysplasia.

Does that mean HPV doesnt affect the normal cervical epithelial cells at all?

 

[worldbeater]

Are you sure it didn't say HPV causes cells to undergo metaplasia?

Bonus UWorld point: HPV is transmitted from the male due to lack of condom use

 

[tarsuc]

No no it didnt say that at all.

QID 1041

 

[worldbeater]

Oh I gotcha. So I pulled it up and they are comparing two diseases: HPV and squamous metaplasia. They aren't the same condition.

Oncogenic strains of HPV (16,18 I am guessing) lead to squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and affects the metastatic epithelium of the cervical transformation zone

Squamous metaplasia of the cervix is a response to the vaginal acidity (normal physiology as you said) and not associated with malignancy.

Note on the vaginal acidity: When a girl hits puberty, lactobacilli are present in the vagina and make the vaginal vault more acidic in nature, giving her natural protection against infection and sexually transmitted diseases. This is also why semen is basic in nature, to protect itself from the acidic environment during fertilization.

 

[tarsuc]

So oncogenic strains of HPV will affect

BOTH normal cervical epithelium (columnar) (then causing squamous metaplasia, and then dysplasia -CIN etc) as well as cervical epithelium that has already undergone squamous metaplasia due to acidity. (causing dysplasia - CIN etc)

Is it?

 

[chillaxbro]

Oh I gotcha. So I pulled it up and they are comparing two diseases: HPV and squamous metaplasia. They aren't the same condition.

Oncogenic strains of HPV (16,18 I am guessing) lead to squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and affects the metastatic epithelium of the cervical transformation zone

Squamous metaplasia of the cervix is a response to the vaginal acidity (normal physiology as you said) and not associated with malignancy.

Note on the vaginal acidity: When a girl hits puberty, lactobacilli are present in the vagina and make the vaginal vault more acidic in nature, giving her natural protection against infection and sexually transmitted diseases. This is also why semen is basic in nature, to protect itself from the acidic environment during fertilization.

Hey I've read that eating yogurt is good for vaginal flora. How does it get in the vag?

 

[worldbeater]

BOTH normal cervical epithelium (columnar) (then causing squamous metaplasia, and then dysplasia -CIN etc) as well as cervical epithelium that has already undergone squamous metaplasia due to acidity. (causing dysplasia - CIN etc)

The way they wrote the answer is vague. So be careful, they are saying HPV is associated with squamous cell carcinoma (not metaplasia). They use the term squamous metaplasia is not associated with malignancy (in this case HPV), so my guess HPV is just associated with the normal epithelium.

The term "squamous metaplasia" is normal physiology I believe, although it sounds weird. I know normal physio dictates that you have squamous cells in any areas that have a high degree of friction, it acts as a mechanism to protect that tissue. There are three main areas in the body that you will find these cells. The cervix is one, because of intercourse, vaginal products, and I would also think due to the pH acidity of the environment. The arch of the aorta is another, because you have blood hitting it at 200 mph, and third area of the body is either the trachea or vocal cords, I can't remember.

Hey I've read that eating yogurt is good for vaginal flora. How does it get in the vag?

lol I have no idea, bro. Maybe due to the yeast in yogurt and the lactobacilli uses this as a source to grow and this promotes the normal vaginal biosphere? That would be my guess.

 

[tarsuc]

HPV just affects normal cervical epithelium and turns it dysplastic.

Squamous metaplasia of cervix is physiological and occurs due to vaginal acidity.

Thanks! Almost skeptical to study it this way. but guess i'll take the risk.

 

[chillaxbro]

The way they wrote the answer is vague. So be careful, they are saying HPV is associated with squamous cell carcinoma (not metaplasia). They use the term squamous metaplasia is not associated with malignancy (in this case HPV), so my guess HPV is just associated with the normal epithelium.

The term "squamous metaplasia" is normal physiology I believe, although it sounds weird. I know normal physio dictates that you have squamous cells in any areas that have a high degree of friction, it acts as a mechanism to protect that tissue. There are three main areas in the body that you will find these cells. The cervix is one, because of intercourse, vaginal products, and I would also think due to the pH acidity of the environment. The arch of the aorta is another, because you have blood hitting it at 200 mph, and third area of the body is either the trachea or vocal cords, I can't remember.


lol I have no idea, bro. Maybe due to the yeast in yogurt and the lactobacilli uses this as a source to grow and this promotes the normal vaginal biosphere? That would be my guess.

How does the yeast get in the vag?