In human papillomavirus (HPV) (synonyms: Condylomata; Condylomata acuminata; Condylomata ani; Condylomata vulvae; HPV infection; human papilloma virus); HPV viruses; human papilloma virus; condyloma; papilloma; papilloma acuminatum sive venereum; acute condyloma; venereal verruca; venereal wart; venereal wart of the anogenital region; venereal wart of the external genital organs; verruca acuminata; vulvar condyloma; female papilloma; ICD-10-GM A63. 0: Anogenital (venereal) warts; ICD-10ICD-10-GM B97.7! : Papillomaviruses as Causes of Diseases Classified in Other Chapters) is a larger genus of viruses (with more than 200 completely classified HPV types today and numerous partial HPV sequences presumably representing new, as yet unclassified HPV types) that are primarily causative agents of skin and mucosal warts. About 40 of these HPV types affect the genital tract. Papillomaviruses are grouped in the diverse taxonomic family Papillomaviridae. They are transmissible DNA viruses that primarily infect the epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes. The HPV types can be divided into five major genera (α, β, γ, µ, and ν). The α-HPV are divided into high-risk (“HR”) and low-risk (“LR”) types with respect to their oncogenic potential. Some HPV types (HPV 1, 2, 3, 4, 10) cause harmless skin warts. In addition, some subgroups, the so-called high-risk types (types 16 and 18), are also involved in the development of malignant neoplasms, especially cervical cancer and head and neck tumors, as well as penile, vaginal, vulvar, and anal carcinomas.Anogenital warts are caused in 90% of cases by the low-risk HPV 6 and (less frequently) 11. Infection with human papillomaviruses (HPV) of the genitals and anal region is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD) worldwide. Transmission of the pathogen (route of infection) occurs through sexual intercourse, but can also be transmitted through smear infection, other physical contact, and perhaps by touching contaminated objects. In addition, horizontal transmission (perinatal/transmission during birth from mother to child) plays another role.The transmission rate of genitoanal warts between sexual partners is very high and is about 65%, the use of condoms reduces the risk of infection by about 60-70%.During their lifetime, over 80-90% of sexually active individuals become infected with α-HPV. The incubation period (time from infection to the appearance of disease symptoms) is at least 4 weeks.The incubation period for condylomata acuminata is on average 3 months (from 3 weeks to 18 months).The incubation period for cervical carcinoma (cervical cancer) is usually 10-15 years. The incubation period for the development of HPV-associated head and neck tumors, especially oropharyngeal (“affecting the mouth and throat”) tumors, is completely unknown. Notice: In industrialized nations, more people now die from HPV-associated oropharyngeal tumors than from cervical cancer (5-year survival rate: approximately 51%). Sex ratio: women are more commonly affected than men. Frequency peak: The disease occurs predominantly between 20 and 25 years of age (detectable HPV infections). The frequency decreases with increasing age. The prevalence (disease incidence) of HPV infection is 8-15% for women (in Europe) and up to 12, 4% for men. Worldwide, the prevalence for women is reported to be 2-44%. In men, HPV 16 – the type of virus associated with carcinoma of the mouth and throat and penile and anal carcinoma – is the most prevalent (0, 6-3, 9 %). Course and prognosis: In immunocompetent individuals, the infection is usually transient (temporary) and asymptomatic (without symptoms). It resolves spontaneously (by itself) within months to a year and a half (in 90% of cases). However, the infection can be persistent (ongoing), increasing the risk of malignant (malignant) disease such as cervical cancer.Condylomata acuminata (synonyms: condylomata, wet warts, genital warts) spontaneously regresses in up to 30% of cases, but can recur (return). The risk of recurrence is also stated to be at least 20 to 30 % for the forms of therapy available to date.Vaccination: HPV vaccination against the 9 most important virus types HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 (nine-way vaccine against HPV) is available for girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 14. The “Standing Commission on Vaccination” (STIKO) recommends that girls and boys should be vaccinated between the ages of nine and 15, ideally before their first sexual intercourse (between the ages of 12 and 17), in order to avoid infection with the pathogens. Note: Because HPV vaccination does not include all HPV subtypes classified as oncogenic, screening is mandatory (required) even in vaccinated individuals.
