[Immunoreactivity directed towards human papillomavirus (HPV) structural antigen in perianal epithelial proliferation in humans].

Immunoreactivity directed towards the presence of a structural antigen of Papilloma virus (HPV) was studied in patients with benign epithelial proliferations in the perianal area, squamous cell and cloacogenic carcinomas of the rectum and anus, using Dako serum kits. Positive reaction was found in five of eleven pointed condylomas and in one squamous cell papilloma, which is in accordance with other reports. Negative reaction in patients with squamous cell carcinomas may result from methodologic limitations of immunohistochemical studies. In patients with cloacogenic carcinomas it may also indicate a lack of relationship between this type of a neoplasm and HPV infection. The latter probably requires the presence of mature keratocytes to proliferate.