Transmissibility and treatment failures of different types of human papillomavirus

In order to evaluate the transmissibility and treatment failures of different types of human papillomavirus (HPV), we obtained biopsy specimens from genital lesions related to HPV in 113 women prior to laser therapy. Sixty-eight had condylomata acuminata, 14 had flat condyloma, and 31 had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with or without condylomata. Of 76 male sexual partners examined colposcopically, 58 (76%) had HPV-related lesions. All biopsy specimens were analyzed for specific type of HPV DNA by Southern blot hybridization with probes for HPVs 6, 11, 16, and 18. Sixty-one women had HPV 6 or 11 (6/11), 40 had HPV 16 or 18 (16/18), and in 12 the analysis was negative for these types of viral DNA. Deoxyribonucleic acid analysis of biopsy specimens from recurrent lesions showed the same type of viral DNA as in the primary lesion. Significantly more male partners (28 of 47) with the same HPV type were found among women with HPV 6/11 than among women with HPV 16/18 (P less than .005). Patients with HPV 16/18 had significantly more recurrences (14 of 40) after laser therapy than patients with HPV 6/11 (six of 60) (P less than .001).