Multicentric papillomavirus infection of the female genital tract. A study of morphologic pattern, possible risk factors and viral prevalence.

We have investigated 103 biopsy specimens obtained from 50 women (average 28.1 years, range 16-66) with multicentric condylomatosis of the genital tract, including the uterine cervix (48 samples), the vagina (23), and the vulva (32). Each patient had at least 2 biopsies. A positive in situ hybridization for a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) cocktail was observed in samples from 38 patients: in these multiplicity of lesions regarded the cervix and vulva (22 cases), cervix and vagina (12), vulva and vagina (1), cervix, vulva and vagina (3). Viral types 6,11 were more prevalent in simple condylomata. Both low- and high grade lesions of cervix, vagina, and vulva showed prevalence of types 16, 18 and 31, 33, 35. Signaling for more than one probe cocktail was detected in 14 (13.6%) samples. Partner's condylomatosis was referred to by a sizeable minority of patients. It is concluded that the spectrum of HPV infection in the female genital tract reflects a multiplicity of factors, including involved viral type and site, immunitary reaction of the host, perpetration or reactivation of latent infections.