Correlation between content of viral DNA and evidence of mature virus particles in HPV-1, HPV-4, and HPV-6 induced virus acanthomata.

In HPV-1 and HPV-4 induced warts as well as in HPV-6 positive condylomata acuminata the quantity of viral DNA encapsulated into virus particles was determined and compared to the total amount of viral DNA present in the papillomas. As shown by filter hybridization using 3H-labeled viral DNA molecularly cloned in Escherichia coli, the amount of total viral DNA found in HPV-1 or HPV-4 induced skin warts is similar. HPV-4 DNA, however, is encapsulated into virus particles with less efficiency. HPV-6 DNA can be detected only at minute amounts in condylomata acuminata and the percentage of DNA recovered from virions is extremely low.