ABSTRACT
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an icosahedral, non-enveloped, double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) virus of approximately 55nm in diameter. All HPV types are epitheliotropic and fully differentiated squamous epithelium is required for completion of the HPV life cycle. HPV infects keratinocytes, the predominate cells of epithelial surfaces. It is believed that only basal or undifferentiated keratinocytes are infected. The viral replication cycle is complicated as the keratinocytes undergoes the process of differentiation. Virus is assembled in the nuclei of most differentiated keratinocytes and can be detected in these cells as desquamation occurs from the epithelium. Genital HPV infection is primarily transmitted through sexual intercourse. The majority of HPV infections are transient and asymptomatic and cause no clinical problems. The majority of HPV infections are transient and asymptomatic and cause no clinical problems.
