Human papillomavirus DNA associated with foreskins of normal newborns.

Foreskins from 70 unselected infants undergoing routine circumcision were analyzed by dot blot hybridization for the presence of DNA related to that of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 6, 11, 16, or 18. Three foreskins (4%) contained HPV DNA; two contained DNA related to HPV-16, and one contained DNA related to HPV-6. These results suggest that neonates exhibit evidence of a relatively high incidence of exposure to HPV. The outcome of exposure may be initially asymptomatic. A retrospective study of maternal charts showed six mothers with abnormal Pap smears, but no correlation could be identified between these mothers and the HPV-positive foreskins.