The Progression of Human Papillomavirus Lesions in Sexual Assault Victims

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are seen in up to 15% of adolescents who present to a gynecology clinic.1 Anogenital HPV develops in some adolescents as a result of sexual assault. Sexual sault protocols address detection and follow-up for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis, 2,3 but follow-up for detection of HPV lesions is not formally addressed. Early detection of HPV lesions is important for treatment and long-term management, because subtypes 6, 10, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, and 35 have been associated with cervical cancer.4 Although 6 and 11 are the most common subtypes found in condylomata acuminata, types 1, 2, 10, 16, and 18 are also found in anogenital lesions.5