from Richard Oparka and C. Simon Herrington writing in Small DNA Tumour Viruses:
The papillomaviruses are diverse, predominantly epitheliotropic, viruses that are ubiquitous throughout the world. Well over 100 different types are known to infect humans, affecting particularly the squamous epithelia of the anogenital region, the skin and the upper aerodigestive tract. The majority of infections remain subclinical and, in many cases, HPV infection results in benign lesions such as warts that regress with elimination of the infection. However, infection with some HPV types, for example HPV 16 and 18, can also lead to malignant transformation. This association with malignant transformation has led to the development of vaccines against HPV and, in some countries, implementation of a vaccination programme. This chapter highlights the natural history of HPV-associated disease as well as the effects of the virus at a molecular level, and addresses the future implications of our knowledge of HPV infection for both prevention and treatment of HPV-associated disease.
Further reading: Small DNA Tumour Viruses Related publications