Papillomavirus

Question 1

> 120 species of papillomavirus infect humans

What is virus structure?

Answer 1

dsDNA

Icosahedral

55nm diameter

Question 2

What species of HPV cause these infections -

warts

cervical cancer

Answer 2

warts -
HPV6/11

cervical cancer -
16/ 18

Question 3

How is HPV transmitted?

Answer 3

sexual

direct skin contact - e.g from swimming pool edge

Question 4

What is life cycle of HPV?

Answer 4

Enters skin via abrasion

infects basal layers of mucosa

infected cells sitmulated to proliferate - becoming squamified/ keratinised

1-6 months after infection mass of infected cell reaches surface forming wart

Immune system brings replication under control, and wart regresses. Can reactivate if immunocompromised

Question 5

What cancers are HPV associated with?

Answer 5

cervix/ vulva

penis

rectum

head/ neck

Question 6

What is treatment for HPV?

Answer 6

Most will resolve spontaneously

cryotherapy

loop excision/ laser therapy