Latent Papillomavirus and Recurring Genital Warts

TLDR

Anogenital condylomata and intraepithelial neoplasms frequently recur after removal, and latent papillomavirus infection has been implicated as a possible cause. The study examined 20 laser‑treated anogenital lesions, using Southern blot hybridization on biopsy specimens from normal skin margins adjacent to the lesions to detect papillomavirus sequences. Papillomavirus sequences were found in 45 % of margins, and recurrence occurred in 67 % of those patients versus 9 % of patients without detectable sequences, with most recurrences arising within 15 mm of the treatment area, indicating that latent virus beyond the treatment zone drives recurrence.

Abstract

After anogenital condylomata and intraepithelial neoplasms are removed, they frequently recur. Since these lesions are related to papillomaviruses, it has been suggested that latent papillomavirus infection is responsible for recurrence. We studied 20 cases of anogenital lesions that were treated by laser therapy and analyzed biopsy specimens of margins of normal skin adjacent to the lesions for papillomavirus sequences by Southern blot hybridization. In nine cases (45 per cent), papillomavirus sequences were detected in the normal skin margin; lesions recurred in 6 of the 9 patients (67 per cent), in contrast to only 1 of 11 patients (9 per cent) whose margins were negative for the presence of papillomavirus sequences. All but one recurrence developed within 15 mm of the treatment area. Our results demonstrate that clinically and histologically latent papillomavirus exists beyond the treatment area and that its presence influences subsequent recurrences.