Study on clinical types of warts and its correlation with human papillomavirus genotypes

Human papilloma viruses (HPVs) are small, nonenveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses that infect mucosal and cutaneous epithelia. Cutaneous warts are typically associated with HPV types 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 27, 41, 57, 60, 63, and 65. Anogenital warts are linked to low-risk (types 6, 11) and high-risk HPV genotypes (types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59).

This study aims to evaluate the types and clinical presentation of warts and correlate them with HPV genotypes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection methods.

A hospital-based prospective study conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology (DVL) at Muzaffarnagar Medical College, Muzaffarnagar.

Fifty patients aged 10-70 years presenting with warts at the DVL Outpatient Department were enrolled. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Wart samples underwent biopsy, histopathological examination, and HPV genotyping via PCR.

Data entry using Microsoft Excel analyzed with SPSS version 21. The data were obtained, coded, and entered into Epidata.

HPV DNA was detected in 70% of patients. Genotypes 6 (45.7%) and 11 (22.86%) were the most common and frequently associated with genital warts (58%). Most lesions were dome-shaped (0-2 cm). Contact with infected individuals was reported by 74%, and 44% had warts for 2-4 months.

Warts are common in young adults (20-30 years) with equal gender distribution. Genital warts were the predominant type, with HPV 6 and 11 being the most frequent strains. The findings emphasize the importance of early detection and public health intervention.