Publication:

Clinico-epidemiological profile of condylomata acuminata with special emphasis on HPV typing

Background Condylomata acuminata (CA) or genital wart is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by human papilloma virus (HPV). As there was little information about the HPV types commonly causing CA in our state, we decided to study the clinico-epidemiological profile of CA with special emphasis on HPV typing.

Methods We did HPV typing in 25 clinically diagnosed cases of CA. The biopsied specimens were sent for HPV typing using Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and those with high risk HPV types were histologically analyzed for any dysplastic change. We also evaluated for other STIs which can coexist with CA.

Results Out of the 25 cases, 18 (72%) were males and 7 (28%) females. Majority of our patients belonged to 21-40 year age group (64%). Clinical types of CA were the classical fleshy exuberant type in 22 patients (88%), flat type in 2 (8%) and keratotic type in 1 (4%). HPV positivity was obtained in 21 (84%). The most common type was HPV 6 in 10 cases (40%) and HPV 11 in 8 (32%) patients. HPV 16 alone was isolated in 1 (4%) case. HPV types 6 and 16 and 11 & 18 were isolated in one case each. Dysplastic changes were observed in two cases with HPV 16 and 18. VDRL and TPHA positivity was found in 2 (8%) males and HBsAg positivity was seen in 1 (4%) male patient.

Conclusions This study highlights the importance of HPV typing for identifying the high risk types and to assess the efficacy of HPV vaccines.