GENITAL INFESTATIONS Flashcards
What is the most common viral sexually acquired infection?
Genital warts as a result of HPV
What does HPV stand for?
Human papilloma virus
How many HPV types have been discovered and how many infect the genital epithelium?
Over 100 types
40 of which infect genital epithelium
What are the two most common types of HPV virus to infect the genital epithelium and cause benign genital warts?
HPV 6
HPV 11
How are genital warts spread? What does this mean for sexual contact?
Direct skin to skin contact
This means that wearing a condom will not necessarily protect as condoms do not cover all the genital skin. It also means penetrative sex is not required for transmission.
What is the median incubation period for warts?
3 months (range of 2 weeks to 9 months or even longer)
What percentage of people with HPV genital infection will develop warts? Are they still infectious?
Many people (one estimate suggests 99%). However, they are still infectious, although those with genital warts are more likely to transmit HPV.
What are the clinical features of genital warts?
Lumps in the genital area (may be singular or multiple)
Usually asymptomatic
Can be itchy
Where do genital warts tend to occur?
In locations which undergo small trauma during sexual intercourse, but may be seen anywhere on genital skin:
Penile
Intrameatal
Peri-anal
Intra-anal
Vulva
Intra-vaginal
Cervical
What are the different types of genital wart based on appearance?
Condylomata acuminata
Smooth papules
Flat papules
Keratotic warts
What do condylomata acuminata genital warts look like?
Cauliflower-like appearance
Skin coloured, pink or sometimes hyperpigmented
If on mucosal surfaces then generally non-keratinised
If on skin then may be keratinised
What do smooth papular genital warts look like?
Smooth
Dome-shaped
Skin-coloured
What do flat papular genital warts look like?
Macular to slightly raised
Flesh coloured with smooth surface
More commonly found on internal structures (eg cervix), but do also occur on external genitalia
What do keratotic genital warts look like?
Thick horny layer
Resemble common warts or seborrheic keratosis
How is diagnosis of genital warts usually made?
Clinical diagnosis based on examination under bright light
What should prompt biopsy of a genital growth?
Unclear diagnosis
Pigmented lesions
Indurated lesions
Fixed lesions
Do not respond or worsen with treatment
Persistent ulceration or bleeding
Immunocompromised patients (where more vigilance is required to recognise pre-malignant lesions)
What is the differential diagnosis for genital growths?
Infections:
Molluscum contagiosum
Condylomata lata of syphilis
Acquired dermatological conditions: Seborrheic keratosis Lichen planus Fibro-epithelial polyp, adenoma Melanocytic naevus Neoplastic lesion
Normal variants: Pearly penile papules/coronal papillae Fordyce spots Vestibular papillae (micropapillomatosis labialis) Skin tags
What investigations should be done in someone with genital warts?
STI screen to exclude concurrent STIs
In someone diagnosed with genital warts, how do we go about contact tracing?
We don’t. However, current partners may benefit from assessment to exclude undetected STI.
How does a diagnosis of genital warts affect a woman’s cervical smear screening schedule?
It doesn’t
What percentage of genital warts will disappear without treatment by 3 months?
5-30%
What percentage of genital warts will stay the same by 3 months?
20%
What percentage of genital warts will get bigger by 3 months?
50%
Which group of patients are more likely to see spontaneous resolution of genital warts?
Children
What are the first line treatment options for non-keratinised larger vulval, perineal, penile or perianal warts?
Podophyllotoxin 0.5%
OR
Imiquimod
What are the first line treatment options for keratinised, small number or low volume vulval, perineal penile or penile warts
Cryotherapy
OR
Imiquimod
What class of medication is imiquimod?
Alpha-interferon stimulant