Molecular subtypification of human papillomavirus in male adult individuals with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the isotype of human papillomavirus (HPV) in fresh tissue samples of 35 male adults with adult recurrent adult respiratory papillomatosis which may be important to define the precise etiology of the disease, and determine the therapeutic and prophylactic measures. METHODS: A total of 35 adult male patients diagnosed with active RRP who have been treated for several years were included in the study. DNA of patients was extracted from fresh biological samples and analyzed by PCR and a Linear Array® HPV Genotyping system. RESULTS: Most cases (95%) corresponded to adult-onset of RRP. A questionnaire was applied to obtain demographic and clinical data. Using a PCR-based detection system all patients showed the presence of HPV; 80% were positive for HPV-6, 8% for HPV-11 and one for HPV-16. CONCLUSION: Most patients presented HPV-6 and consequently it was not feasible to correlate clinical and demographic characteristics with viral type. Besides, co-infections were not evident. This knowledge may be relevant to delineate therapeutic and preventive measures.