[Clinical significance of human papilloma virus (HPV) infections of the lower genital tract].

Using filter in situ hybridisation for HPV-DNA detection we found among 217 women with positive cervical cytology a positive result in 152 cases (70%). The distribution of the different HPV types showed an association of HPV 6/11 mainly with benign lesions and of HPV 16/18 with obligatory precancer and invasive cervical cancer. In 2652 swabs of cytologically negative patients HPV-DNA was identified in 9.5%. The infection rate for HPV 16/18 in pregnant women was 6.4% against 2.3% in nonpregnant women. In a number of the patients with positive cervical cytology we additionally examined smears from the vagina and vestibulum for HPV-DNA: in 42% of the cases a positive HPV result was obtained in these areas as well. In about 50% of 39 male partners peniscopy revealed penile lesions and HPV-DNA was found in penile smears. A prospective cytological and virological study of cytologically positive patients showed a clear association of HPV 16/18 with progression of cervical lesions. In a cytologically negative group, follow-up examinations revealed HPV-DNA in 31%.