Human papillomavirus: An update

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) comprise a group of DNA viruses with more than 450 types identified. HPV represents one of the most common viral infections globally. HPV can cause a wide spectrum of clinical disease depending on type, including benign lesions (cutaneous or anogenital warts), premalignant lesions (intraepithelial neoplasia), and anogenital cancers; however, infection may also frequently remain subclinical. Even though the role of HPV in the pathogenesis of penile, vulval, and anal intraepithelial neoplasia and other cutaneous diseases has been recognized, robust evidence for the role of screening and effective management is often lacking. The implementation of prophylactic vaccination for young people and at-risk adults in high-income countries has proven successful, and now there is growing interest in postexposure vaccination.