DETECTION OF MULTIPLE HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS TYPES IN CONDYLOMATA ACUMINATA FROM IMMUNOSUPPRESSED PATIENTS

Using the hybrid capture method, condylomata acuminata from healthy pa tients (controls) and patients with altered cell-mediated immunity wer e analyzed for multiple human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA: 82.9% and 38.0 % of lesions from 41 controls and 21 patients, respectively, were HPV DNA-positive only with probes for low-risk HPV types (P = .00035). Usi ng probes for both low- and high-risk HPV types, 16.3% and 52.3% of le sions from 43 controls and 21 patients, respectively, were positive fo r both probes (P = .0038). Evidence of multiple HPV types was also fou nd by Southern blot and in situ hybridization studies. The mean HPV co py number detected by either probe did not differ significantly among patient groups. Using sensitive techniques, such as hybrid capture, mu ltiple HPV types, including those associated with genital malignancy, can be detected in condylomata acuminata. Serial biopsies demonstrate the dynamic nature of genital HPV infection and that changes in the pr edominant HPV types may be reflected in tissue pathology.