[Clinical and benign aspects of human papillomavirus-associated lesions]

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are found in most human epithelia and some tumors. Most HPV strains associated with cutaneous lesions belong to three types, named alpha, beta and gamma. Although the causal link between genital human papillomavirus infection and cervical neoplasia is well established, the role of beta-HPV in non melanoma skin cancers is unclear. HPV mainly causes benign cutaneous lesions on the hands and soles. Genital HPV infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection. It is generally asymptomatic. The genitals can be infected by two low-risk HPV types (6 and 11), which are responsible for benign anogenital warts (condylomata acuminata). The implications of anogenital warts in children are highly controversial as regards sexual abuse. Treatments (chemical, physical or immunological) are lengthy, expensive, inconvenient and often painful. Recurrence is frequent because of HPV persistence in perilesional skin.