Host response to papilloma virus in focal epithelial hyperplasia

The ultrastructural features of the lesions of four FEH patients disclosed changes in the nuclei interpreted as a premature disintegration of the nucleoli and the presence of papilloma-like viruses. Changes in ribosome number and distribution, glycogen content and formation of vesicles within the cytoplasm of FEH keratinocytes were observed and compared with normal epithelia. The observed cell changes were explained as specific host response due to HPV-13.