ISSN:
1365-2133
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) parasitize human epithelium, but it is not clear where they reside when they do not cause apparent infection. Hair follicles are important candidates as reservoirs.Objectives A patient reported previously by us as having perianal warts caused mainly by HPV 56, demonstrated hair follicles in her genital area which bulged a little from the surface and appeared somewhat enlarged. We therefore examined whether DNA of HPV 56, a member of the mucous high-risk group, might be detectable in these structures.Methods We obtained plucked hairs and performed an examination by polymerase chain reaction and subsequent reverse-phase dot blot hybridization (PCR-RDBH) and in situ hybridization (ISH).Results Strong positive signals were obtained not only with PCR-RDBH but also with ISH.Conclusions Hair follicles in the genital area might serve as reservoirs for HPVs belonging to the mucous high-risk group.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.05955.x
