Screening HIV positive women for human papilloma virus RNA transforming genes

There is a clear association between certain types of wart (human papilloma) viruses and the development of abnormal smear tests, and ultimately an increased risk of cervical cancer. It is well known that there is a greater incidence of these wart infections in patients with HIV infection, and it appears that such patients are at a greater risk of developing abnormal smear test results, greater than the HIV negative population. Other known factors associated with the development of cervical cancer include smoking history, high number of pregnancies, and certain risk groups. This study will determine if there is any link between having HIV infection alone, CD4 counts and viral loads, and local wart virus infection, and the development of abnormal smear tests or cervical cancer.