The biology and significance of human papillomavirus infections in the genital tract.
A variety of human papillomavirus (HPV) types infect the anogenital mucosa, giving rise to lesions that differ in clinical appearance, histology, and risk of malignant progression. Certain high-risk types (HPVs 16, 18, 31, 33, 35 and 39) have a strong association with high-grade epithelial neoplasia and invasive carcinomas of the anogenital tract. Cancer appears to have a multifactorial etiology, and HPV infection alone is probably insufficient for malignant transformation. The consistent association between HPV infection and anogenital cancers emphasizes, however, that the sexually transmitted papillomaviruses may have a necessary role in carcinogenesis. Hence, there is a prospect that vaccination programs may one day allow public health control of HPV infection, thereby eliminating an important risk factor.
Reid
R
R
Cervical and Vulvar Dysplasia Unit, Sinai Hospital, Detroit, Michigan.
Campion
M J
MJ
D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology