Human papillomavirus update with a particular focus on cervical disease

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common viral infection of squamous epithelial tissues, but its importance has only recently been recognised by the medical community. HPVs are now realised to consist of many genotypes and are associated with a diverse spectrum of clinical manifestations. Within the genital tract, some diseases have been recognised since antiquity; for example, genital warts which are caused by HPV types distinct from those causing genital cancer. However, others (such as cervical cancer), although recognised centuries ago as linked to sexual activity, have only been associated with oncogenic HPVs relatively recently, with the tools of molecular biology. We now understand that..