Detection of human papillomavirus L1 protein in condylomata acuminata from various anatomical sites.
OBJECTIVE
Though human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA can be detected in the majority of condylomata acuminata, the major capsid protein of HPV (L1 protein) can be detected in only 10% to 50% of lesions in immunohistochemical assays.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between anatomic location of genital HPV infections and the ability to detect HPV L1 protein.


METHODS
Condylomata acuminata from 49 male and 51 female patients were evaluated for L1 protein by immunohistochemistry. Thirty of these lesions were vulvar; 20 were cervical; 1 was vaginal; 45 were penile; and 4 were perianal. A quantitative analysis of L1-positive nuclei in the lesions was performed.


RESULTS
L1 protein was detected in 20 (20%) of all lesions. L1 protein was detected in seven (35%) of the cervical lesions compared to nine (12%) of exophytic condylomata acuminata of males and females (P = 0.038). A statistically significant difference was noted between cervical and exophytic condylomata acuminata lesions (46.6 vs. 7.8) (P = 0.0006). No association between oral contraceptive use and L1 protein detection was found.


CONCLUSIONS
The major capsid protein of HPV can be detected in condylomata acuminata of the uterine cervix more often, and in higher quantities, than in lesions of the vulva or penis. Further studies are needed to assess the effects of sex hormones and the anatomic location of the infection as they relate to transmission of HPV.
Wools
K
K
Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, USA.
Bryan
J T
JT
Katz
B P
BP
Rodriguez
M
M
Davis
T
T
Brown
D R
DR
D001706:Biopsy; D002213:Capsid / Q000032:analysis*; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000821:virology*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000821:virology*; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral