Human Papillomavirus Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is widespread throughout the general population, most commonly causing cutaneous and anogenital warts. Oral and respiratory tract HPV papillomas occur less frequently. Of the 85 human papillomaviruses, a subset of specific HPV types are well-established factors in the pathogenesis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer, and probably also contribute to the development of anal, vulvar, vaginal and penile squamous cell cancers (1). HPV may have a role in the pathogenesis of other squamous cell cancers, including of the skin and the oropharynx, but this is less well-defined.