Genital human papillomavirus infection in adolescents.

Genital HPV infections are much more prevalent than previously believed. The most common clinical manifestation of HPV--the subclinical papillomavirus infection, or SPI--is missed on routine examination. No single diagnostic test is adequate in the assessment of HPV infections, and the more recent studies involving newer nucleic acid technologies have brought about a better understanding of the behavior of HPV. There are different oncogenic potentials regarding specific HPV DNA types. Other possible cofactors include age at diagnosis, method of contraception, and use of tobacco.