HPV Infection: Causes

Pathogenesis (development of disease)

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are transmitted primarily through sexual contact, but also through other physical contact. Even minimal skin or mucosal lesions (mucosal injuries) are sufficient for the virus to enter the body. After contact with the pathogen, only epithelial cells are infected. This results in growths with the typical clinical picture. Depending on the HPV subtype, the incubation period until the appearance of these clinical changes ranges from 4 weeks to 15 years.

More than 100 different HPV types are now known, of which around 40 can infect the anogenital region (“affecting the anus (anus) and genitals (genitals)”).

The following HPV types are considered oncogenic (cancer-causing): HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59. These are the main factor in the development of cervical, penile and other anogenital carcinomas, as well as tumors in the mouth and throat, or their precursors. Oncogenicity is suspected for the following additional HPV types (HPV 26, 30, 34, 53, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 73, 82, 85, 97).

Etiology (Causes)

Biographic causes

  • Malformations of the reproductive organs
  • Early first sexual intercourse (cohabitarche).

Behavioral causes

  • Consumption of stimulants
    • Tobacco (smoking)
  • Drug use
    • Cannabis (hashish and marijuana)
  • Sexual transmission
    • Promiscuity (sexual contact with relatively frequently changing different partners).
    • Prostitution
    • Men who have sex with men (MSM) – here: esp. the receptive anal intercourse / anal sex (the passive partner takes the penis into the anus).
    • Sexual contacts in the vacation country
    • Unprotected coitus
  • Sexual practices with high risk of mucosal injury (e.g., unprotected anal intercourse).

Causes related to disease

Medication

  • Immunosuppressants (drugs that suppress the immune system)/immunosuppression.
  • Combined hormonal contraceptives (CHDs; contraceptives) likely lead to easier transmission (transmission) and longer persistence (persistence) of HPV

Other causes

  • Multiparity – birth of many children