SUBMICROSTRUCTURE AND TYPING OF FEMALE GENITAL CONDYLOMATA

Thirty biopsies from female genital condylomata were examined by scann ing electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TE M) to study structural characteristics and typing of condylomata. It w as found that cytoplasmic clearing was marked in acuminate condylomata , diffuse interstitial and epithelial proliferation in nodular condylo mata (flat condylomata), and invagination of the lesions into the , in terstitial tissue or glandular ducts in endophytic condylomata. In nod ular condylomata, SEM also showed some structural features similar to those of intra-epithelial neoplasia. Microridges on the surface of squ amous cells had villiform of granular changes. On the surface of a per centage of squamous or columnar cells, there were holes with a diamete r of about 3 to 5 mum. A number of giant cells were seen among other c ells. The cervical squamatization zone contained groups of special cel ls covered with dense microvilli. TEM of nodular condylomata revealed some pictures resembling active proliferation of tumor cells, such as enlarged or irregular nuclei (large N / C ratio), evaginated or invagi nated nuclear membranes, condensed chromatin attached to the inner par t of the nuclear membrane, transparent nucleoplasm, and frequent nucle osomes and karyokinesis. Virus particles with the morphological charac teristics of HPV (naked hexagon-like particles with an average diamete r of 45-50 nm) were seen in some nuclei with markedly condensed chroma tin. It is suggested that HPV-induced genital condylomata, especially nodular one (flat condylomata), entail a potential progression to mali gnancy.