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Published on: March 11, 2014
Human Papillomavirus-type distribution in anogenital lesions of prepubertal children
S A Braun1,2, S Silling3, S M Schloer4
1Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
Insights
Anogenital warts in children are often caused by cutaneous human papillomavirus (HPV) types, particularly in older children. HPV typing can aid in assessing these cases, distinguishing between mucosal and cutaneous HPV types.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Limited data exists on human papillomavirus (HPV) types in pediatric anogenital warts (AGW).
- Understanding the HPV spectrum in children is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the HPV type spectrum in anogenital warts (AGW) of prepubertal children.
- To differentiate between mucosal and cutaneous HPV types in pediatric AGW.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective German multicenter study involving 55 children aged 1-12 years.
- HPV genotyping of AGW biopsies using PCR and type-specific probes or sequencing.
Main Results:
- HPV DNA detected in 53 of 55 AGW cases.
- Mucosal HPV types (predominantly HPV6) found in 58.5% of HPV-positive AGW.
- Cutaneous HPV types (HPV2, HPV27, HPV57) identified in 43.4% of lesions.
Conclusions:
- Anogenital warts in children aged 5-12 are frequently linked to cutaneous HPV types, suggesting horizontal transmission.
- HPV typing, alongside clinical evaluation, can assist in assessing pediatric AGW cases.
Background:
In contrast to adults, only limited data are available on the human papillomavirus (HPV)-type spectrum in anogenital warts (AGW) of children.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the HPV-type spectrum in AGW of prepubertal children.
Materials & Methods:
In a retrospective German multicentre study, HPV genotyping was performed in AGW biopsies of 55 1- to 12-year-old children using HPV group-specific PCRs followed by hybridization with type-specific probes or sequence analysis.
Results:
Human papillomavirus-DNA was found in 53 of the 55 AGW. In 58.5% (31/53) of the HPV-positive AGW, mucosal HPV types were detected. HPV6 (27/53, 50.9%) was the predominant type. 43.4% (23/53) of the lesions were induced by cutaneous HPV types (HPV2, HPV27, HPV57). Mucosal HPV types were significantly more common in children under 5 years of age than in children 5 years of age and older (22/25, 88.0% [95% CI: 70.0-95.8] vs. 9/28, 32.1% [95% CI: 17.9-50.7], P < 0.001). In contrast, cutaneous HPV types were significantly more prevalent in the 5- to 12-year age group (4/25, 16.0% [95% CI 6.4-34.7] vs. 19/28, 67.9% [95% CI 49.3-82.1], P < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Anogenital warts in 5- to 12-year-old children are frequently associated with cutaneous HPV types, possibly due to horizontal transmission. HPV typing, in addition to comprehensive clinical and psychosocial evaluation, can potentially help in the assessment of these cases.
