[Antigenic relations between human papilloma viruses (HPV): experimental study in guinea-pigs (author's transl]

A study of specific immune response in guinea-pigs after immunization with human papilloma viruses (HPV) purified from plantar warts, hand warts and condyloma acuminata is reported. The respective viruses induced the production of high antibody titres as well as specific cellular immunity as demonstrated by intradermal tests in all the animals. Formalin-inactivated HPV gave similar results. The antigenic cross reactions between the different viruses were evaluated by immunofluorescence and immunodiffusion tests and delayed hypersentitivity reactions. Serologically the results showed viral heterogeneity between condylomata and hand warts, and partial heterogeneity between condylomata plantar warts, and between hand and plantar warts. In skin-hypersensitivity reactions, however, the different viruses appeared as homologous antigens. This experimental study in guinea-pigs showed marked variance of specificity between delayed hypersensitivity reactions and humoral immunity for HPV.