Vlakke penisafwijkingen in de seksuele overdracht van Humaan papillomavirus

- Infection with high-risk genital Human papillomavirus (hrHPV) is necessary for the development of cervical cancer and its early stages.

- Although it is widely accepted that infection with hrHPV is sexually transmitted, insight into the clinical manifestations of hrHPV infection in men is limited.

- Flat penile lesions may be the hrHPV reservoir in men.

- Their limited visibility with the naked eye explains why flat penile lesions may escape the attention of both the carrier and the clinician. The lesions can be visualized by the application of an acetic acid solution. They should be distinguished from papillary abnormalities occurring close to the frenulum and the pearl-shaped penile papulae around the coronary sulcus that do not accompany HPV.

- Only flat penile lesions are associated with high numbers of HPV copies and therefore contribute to the sexual viral spread.

- The use of condoms protects against sexual transmission of HPV.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2008;152:993-8