Immunologic detection of condylomata acuminata-specific antigens.

A rabbit serum fraction was prepared which contained antibody specific for unique antigen(s) found in human condylomata acuminata tissue but not in other human papillomatous or normal tissues. Indirect immunofluorescent staining of cryostat sections of human tissues demonstrated an intense nuclear fluorescence in cells of the prickle cell layer of condylomata acuminata sections. Nuclear fluorescence was not apparent in cells in the basal or dermal layers. The serum fraction did not elicit nuclear fluorescence in epithelial cells of tissue from human vulva, human foreskin, juvenile hand wart, plantar wart, or squamous cell papilloma of the cervix. This demonstration of antigens unique to epithelial cells of condylomata acuminata may prove useful in the often difficult diagnosis of cervical condylomata.