Abstract

SANABRIA NEGRIN, José G. Human Papilloma virus (HPV). Rev Ciencias Médicas [online]. 2009, vol.13, n.4, pp. 168-187. ISSN 1561-3194.

Aimed at updating the current information on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) evidence-based articles and papers about levels I-II were reviewed. The articles and papers browsed on line were published in: Cochrane, Dynamed, Evidence-based Medicine Update, New England Journal of Medicine, J Clinical Oncology, Medscape, PubMed, IARC and Human Papilloma Virus Today, in English, French, Portuguese or Spanish, from the last 5 years; taking also as reference important original articles from previous years. Terms used for the search were: definitions, epidemiology, etiology, HPV, risk factors, clinical features of the HPV infection, clinical implications, mass screening, treatment, primary/secondary prevention and social repercussion. HPV is a sexually-transmitted infection; thus it is preventable and curable. HPV is a DNA virus needing for an epithelium for its replication and to accomplish its vital cycle. The expression of the genes varies inside the epithelial tissue, and from one part of it to the other depending on the type of lesion. Infection is detected from the childhood, even without sexual intercourse, reaching a climax around 30 years old, and then decreasing. The current alternatives are: the primary prevention by means of the use of barrier methods of contraception and the prophylactic vaccines; mass screening and developing-therapeutic vaccines are used after the infection. In every step of the diagnosis and treatment of the disease social problems may arise from the anxiety burden, the infection and its consequences. A discussion about all these aspects was carried out.

Keywords : Virus; papiloma; sexually transmitted diseases/prevention; internal medicine.

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