Verruca: Need to Know about Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Infection

Abstract

Verruca or warts are common significant cause of cosmetic concern and frustration of the patient. Social activities may  be affected. Verruca are formed by benign proliferations of the skin and mucosa that are caused by infection with  Human papilloma virus (HPV). These viruses do not produce acute signs or symptoms but induce a slow, focal expansion of epithelial cells. There are 100 types of Human papilloma virus (HPV). The natural history of common warts is for most of them to spontaneously resolve. But lesions are sometime uncomfortable. Warts typically continue to increase in size and distribution and may become more resistant to treatment over time. A significant  proportion of women with genital HPV infection develops  low-grade cervical lesions. Most of these low-grade lesions regress spontaneously; one study suggests that  approximately 15 percent progress to high-grade cervical  lesions within two years. High-grade cervical lesions have  a strong malignant potential; one study found that about one-third of high-grade lesions progress to cancer within ten years. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbcps.v30i3.12465 J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2012; 30: 151-158