Human papillomavirus types 6 and 16 in multifocal intraepithelial neoplasias of the female lower genital tract

Five women with multifocal intraepithelial neoplasia of the lower genital tract were investigated for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection by the method of DNA-DNA hybridization which detects the viral DNA. The DNA sequences of HPV types 6 and 16 were detected in each of the five patients and in each of the areas biopsied: cervix, vagina and vulva. DNA sequences of both viral types were also found in vulval intraepithelial neoplasia grades I-III and in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades I and III. The detection of HPV DNAs in multifocal lesions suggests a possible common aetiology for the lower genital tract intraepithelial neoplasias.