Relationship between condylomata and laryngeal papillomata. Clinical and molecular virological evidence.

In a survey of 49 papilloma patients accurate maternal condyloma history was obtained in 31 instances and of these, 21 were positive for the presence of condyloma during pregnancy or parturition. Molecular virological studies indicate that positive hybridization could be demonstrated to human papilloma virus 2 in both laryngeal papilloma and condyloma by the Southern blot technique. Immunoperoxidase staining illustrated the presence of virus-related particles only near the surface of the mucous membrane papilloma, which is in contrast to the definite staining of the stratum granulosum and stratum corneum of verrucae. Collectively this provides convincing evidence for an etiological relationship between condyloma acuminata and some laryngeal papillomata. The highly contagious nature of human papilloma virus infection is discussed and the possibility of cesarian section in the presence of active condyloma must be considered.