The role of HPV type in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis.
OBJECTIVE
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 6 and 11 are the aetiological agents responsible for Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP). There is general consensus that HPV11 results in more aggressive disease compared to HPV6.


METHODS
Pubmed was searched using the terms respiratory papillomatosis, HPV 6 and HPV11. Comparisons were made in the outcomes of HPV6 versus HPV11 positive RRP disease.


RESULTS
There are numerous sub-types or variants of both HPV6 and HPV11. These sub-types have different activities at least in-vitro. The numbers of different HPV types within RRP tissue may be more extensive than initially appeared. This depends specifically upon the HPV types tested for.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical differences between HPV6 and HPV11 disease may not be accurately predictable as these viruses exist in numerous sub-types. Also, RRP tissue may contain more than one subtype or even be co-infected with other viruses that may influence outcome. In-vitro studies upon cell lines are a reasonable starting point for evaluation of these differences.
Department of Otolaryngology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP, United Kingdom. ajdonne@doctors.org.uk
A J
AJ
Donne
L
L
Hampson
J J
JJ
Homer
I N
IN
Hampson
D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D016678:Genome; D052140:Human papillomavirus 11 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D052163:Human papillomavirus 6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000601:surgery; D009858:Oncogenic Viruses / Q000235:genetics; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010212:Papilloma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000821:virology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data