[Condylomata acuminata: an indication for prophylactic HPV vaccination?]

Abstract

HPV infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Although most infections are transient, persistent ones can lead to condylomata acuminata, genital intraepithelial neoplasia and genital cancer. The recent approval of vaccines against HPV has raised great hopes. Since 1990, 5,392 urological investigations for HPV were carried out in 1,792 men in special HPV centres. We report on the epidemiology and natural course of condylomata, techniques for HPV detection, treatment surveillance and long-term sequelae. Condylomata acuminata proved to be pathognomonic; partner infections were diagnosed in 50% and more. Systematic HPV DNA analyses in partner investigations or as screening investigations cannot be recommended. Ultimately, within the spectrum of therapeutic options for condylomata, no method is really superior to others; recurrences occurred in 30-70% of cases. We definitely need the HPV vaccination programme to get rid of one of the oldest and up to now unsolved problems of mankind.