Bowenoid papulosis. Presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) structural antigens and of HPV 16-related DNA sequences

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Abstract
Cases (39) of anogenital bowenoid papulosis lesions in 22 individuals of both sexes were analyzed clinically, histologically, immunocytochemically and virologically. Macroscopically, 3 different types of lesions were demonstrated: erythematous macules; papules (lichenoid and/or pigmented papules); and leukoplakia-like lesions. Microscopically, bowenoid papulosis fulfilled the criteria of a squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Much like oral precancers, 3 distinct growth patterns (flat, endophytic and exophytic) could be differentiated, which did not correlate with the clinical aspect of the lesions. In only 2 (5.12%) of the 39 cases of bowenoid papulosis could structural antigens of papillomaviruses be detected immunocytochemically (peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique). The DNA from 12 lesions that were analyzed for the presence of papillomavirus-specific sequences hybridized stringently in all cases with the human papillomavirus 16 specific DNA probe labeled with 32P.