Human Papillomaviruses

Abstract

Papillomaviruses are in the family Papillomaviridae . Human papillomavirus (HPV) initiates infection in primitive basal‐like epithelial cells, accessed through minor trauma or at specialized sites of epithelial transition, particularly the squamocolumnar junction. The epidemiology and transmission of genital and nongenital infections differ significantly. Nongenital infections manifesting as hand and foot warts are most common in children and adolescents. The epidemiology and natural history of genital or mucosal HPV differ by anatomic site, by sex, and by age. Warts are more common in immunocompromised individuals, including organ transplant recipients, those infected with HIV, and pregnant women. Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a rare condition characterized by benign papillomatous lesions of the larynx and other parts of the upper respiratory tract that are characteristically resistant to treatment. Nucleic acid amplification technologies are the mainstay of clinical HPV tests, particularly those designed to inform screening and management of cervical disease.