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will be recruited from the MCLNO, Charity Hospital Obstetrics Clinics. At the time of the scheduled examination, a questionnaire concerning demographic, obstetric, sexual and contraceptive history will be filled out. During the pelvic examination, swabs of the cervical os (opening) and vuvlo-vaginal area will be taken. This is followed by a 5cc rinse of the cervical os with sterile saline. Finally, a single 10 ml (2-3 teaspoons) serum sample will be collected. This will take approximately 10 minutes.

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HPV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS): Sentinel Surveillance for Cervical Human Papillomavirus Infection among Women in the US

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The subjects are being asked to participate in a research study to learn more about how many women in the U.S. are infected with genital human papillomavirus infection (HPV). This study is being done with the help of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at clinics in the Louisiana Health system and also clinics in five other cities in the U.S. This study will include about 2000 women in New Orleans and over 10000 women in total in all 6 cities.
Genital HPV is a virus that is transmitted through sex. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the US. It is an important infection because it can cause abnormal Pap smears and cancer of the cervix in women. There are many different strains or "types" of genital HPV. Some are called "high-risk HPV" because they increase the risk of getting cancer of the cervix. However, most women who have infection with high-risk HPV do not know that they have the infection and don't develop any important medical problems at all, especially if they get regular Pap smears.
Because high-risk HPV can cause cervical cancer, it is important to find out how widespread it is. This study is being done to find out more about how many women in the US are infected with high-risk HPV, and what things increase a woman's chance of having this infection.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The subjects are being asked to participate in a research study to improve the ability to detect infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV causes genital warts and cancers of the cervix, penis and rectum. This purpose of this study is to examine the different types of HPV infection at 5 regions of the Office of Public Health that differ in their abnormal Pap smear and cervical cancer rates. HPV infection will be determined from the cervical and urine specimens. It is hoped that a less invasive test (urine) can be developed to detect HPV.
DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY: Women between the ages of 18 and 65 attending the Family Planning Clinics run by the Office of Public Health from the Baton Rouge, Monroe, New Orleans, Alexandria, and Shreveport regions (500 women per site for a total of 2500) of Louisiana who are scheduled for pelvic examination will be asked to participate. This will include at least 100 women per site who have been found to have an ASCUS or LGSIL Pap smear diagnosis. Subjects who have an unstable medical condition such as malignancy, severe asthma, unstable diabetes, etc. will be excluded from this study. Subjects who are menstruating with be asked to return to the clinic after menses for collection of specimens. HPV prevalence rates and the HPV genotype will be determined and compared between regions as well as to simultaneous collected demographic data.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The subjects are being asked to participate in a research study to better understand the prevalence of human papillomavirus infection (HPV) in the community. HPV causes genital warts and cancers of the cervix, penis and rectum. Many women are infected with these viruses, but few progress to disease such as genital warts or cancer. This study is designed to test who is infected with HPV. Those who are infected with HPV will be asked to participate in another study designed to understand the body's immune response to this virus. A better understanding of the immune response against HPV may aid in the future development of both treatments and vaccines.
DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY: A total of 500 HIV-seropositive female subjects will be recruited from the HIV Outpatient Program (HOP) at LSUMC and 1500 HIV-seronegative female subjects from the LSU, Charity Hospital Outpatient Clinics and the Orleans Parish Family Planning Clinic. Upon consent to the study, a brief medical history will be taken. The subject will undergo a Pelvic examination at which she will be examined for evidence of any sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, a dacron swab of the cervix and vagina and urine sample will be collected for the detection of the elements of the human papillomavirus. A self-administered vaginal specimen will also be collected by placing two cotton swabs held together about two inches into the vagina and rotating 360°(1 full turn). Women who have elements of the HPV on the cervix or vagina will have the opportunity to participate in a more extensive study of the body's immune response against HPV.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause growths (warts) in the mouth and in the groin (genital) area. The purpose of this study is to collect saliva to determine the prevalence rates of HPV infection in the oral cavity. A better understanding of the growths caused by HPV and how the body fights this infection may aid in development of both therapies and vaccines against this virus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY: A total of 1000 men and women will be recruited from the HIV Outpatient Program (HOP) at LSUHSC. All participants will be infected with HIV. After informed consent and answering a few questions about previous genital infections and sexual partners, all subjects will expectorate (spit) into a collection tube and collect 5-10 ccs (1 tablespoon) of saliva. This will be followed by a gentle swab and brush of the inside of the cheek, the roof of the mouth, under the tongue, the tongue, and the tonsils, if present. Finally, you will be asked to gargle with 5 ccs of a salt solution and spit into a collection tube. The oral specimens will be tested for HPV infection. The subjects may be eligible for a follow up study.