The human papillomavirus (HPV) has been known for many years. Scientists have long established the connection of this pathogen with the restructuring of normal body tissues, but it has not been possible to prove the direct dependence of the occurrence of neoplasms. HPV has many types, at the moment about 100 types have been discovered. It is present in most of the world's population, and many are only carriers of the virus and do not suffer from its manifestations. Depending on the type of virus, its effect on the body is determined. Some types of HPV are harmless, while others cause warts, genital warts, and even cancer. In connection with the accepted classification, non-oncogenic and oncogenic groups are distinguished. The latter may have both low and high risk of developing neoplasms.
HPV transmission
Since the human papillomavirus is one of the most common, anyone can get infected with it. In both women and men, HPV type 16 DNA can be detected. This type of virus always worries doctors, as it belongs to the group of oncogenicand has a high risk of developing malignant tumors. The most common route of HPV transmission is sexual. This is due to the fact that in most cases it lives on the genitals. In addition, the virus can be transmitted through household contact, which is much less common. This occurs only when the affected areas of the mucous membrane come into contact with he althy tissue. Sometimes, HPV is seen in babies who get it from their mothers at the time of birth.
What causes papillomavirus?
Currently, many different types of HPV have been studied, as well as the effect of each of them on the human body. It depends on the structure of the genome of viruses, which is different for them. It is known that HPV type 16 DNA has the greatest ability to develop carcinogenesis, that is, the cancerous degeneration of normal body cells. Many varieties cause warts - formations on various surfaces of the body. They can be localized on the skin, in the genital area, on the heels, on the mucous membrane of the larynx. Another name for warts is warts, which can be common, flat or pointed. HPV types 16 and 18 cause the most dangerous conditions - dysplasia and cervical cancer. These viruses are considered quite common, so their study is of great importance for medicine.
HPV type 16 DNA: structure
The diameter of the human papillomavirus is 50 nm. The shape of the HPV resembles a geometric figure - an ixoahedron, which consists of 72 parts - capsomeres. The virus has a special shell- capsid, which is located symmetrically. Genetic information about HPV is stored on its DNA, which is represented by two cyclically closed chains. Its molecular weight is 3-5 mD. HPV type 16 DNA has an infectious and transforming component. The genome coding strand contains 10 reading frames, which can be early or late. This is determined by their location in the DNA structure. The coding part carries information about the proteins that form the virus. It is the peptides that are responsible for all the properties that HPV has. Proteins E5-7 are specific for oncogenic viruses, they contribute to the formation of dysplasia and cancerous degeneration.
Papillomavirus type 16 in men and women
HPV occurs in many people, but only a small proportion are examined to detect it. This is due to the fact that most types of the virus are harmless and do not manifest themselves in any way. Some people develop warts and genital warts, but they are not always a cause for concern. Typically, HPV diagnostics is carried out in gynecological and venereological rooms, since those types of virus that can lead to a cancerous process are often localized on the external and internal genital organs. Usually it is there that oncogenic types of HPV are located. Type 16 in women leads to the development of squamous cell cervical cancer in 50-60% of cases, so its diagnosis is extremely important. Scientists are still conducting research aimed at establishing the relationship between the action of this virus and the degeneration of cells. HPV type 16men can lead to cancer of the vulva and the formation of papillomas in the oral cavity.
Papillomavirus diagnostic methods
Most often, a gynecologist conducts an examination to detect HPV in women. If dysplasia or cervical cancer is suspected, the doctor recommends that the patient exclude sexual intimacy and antiviral drugs a few days before the test. Material from the cervical canal and urethra is taken for research. After taking a smear, it is sent to a laboratory where PCR is performed. This method allows you to detect the presence or absence of virus DNA in the test material. Another diagnostic method is ELISA, for which it is necessary to donate blood. This analysis will determine the level of HPV antibody titer, as well as the presence of a chronic process.
HPV type 16 treatment
When papillomavirus is detected, the first thing to do is to strengthen the immune system. Due to the danger of HPV type 16, treatment is urgently needed. If a woman has conditions such as cervical erosion, genital warts, erythro- and lymphoplakia, dysplasia, it is urgent to get rid of them. This is possible with the help of diathermocoagulation or cryodestruction. In addition, therapy includes taking antiviral drugs, protection against hypothermia and stress, normalizing nutrition and daily routine.
