Humane Papillomviren: Erreger, Übertragung und Prävalenz

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are DNA viruses that can infect epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes. Currently, over 150 different HPV types are known, which are classified into high-risk and low-risk types depending on the carcinogenicity. About 40 of these HPV types affect the genital tract. HPV infection can result in various benign and malignant diseases in women and men. Some HPV types (HPV 1, 2, 3, 4, 10) cause harmless skin warts. The so-called low-risk HPV types 6 and 11 cause genital warts, while the high-risk types, such as HPV 16 and 18, are causally responsible for the development of cervical cancer. In addition, high-risk HPV types are involved in the development of other cancers, such as anal, vaginal, and vulvar cancer, but also tumors in the head and neck region. HPVs are the most frequently sexually transmitted infections worldwide. However, other modes of transmission are also possible, such as from the mother to her child during birth. Worldwide and in Europe, the HPV prevalence in women is estimated to be about 12%, and the most frequently detected HPV type is HPV 16. However, the HPV prevalence is significantly higher for young women under the age of 25 and is estimated to be 20 to over 40%. The high-risk HPV prevalence in women over 30 years in Germany is estimated to be 6.4%. For women under 30 years of age, HPV prevalence in Germany is 22.3%. The HPV prevalence, however, strongly depends on the sample being studied as well as the HPV test used. In Germany, women aged 20 and over are eligible to receive a cytological smear for early cancer detection, and girls between the ages of 9 and 14 can receive a free prophylactic HPV vaccination. Currently there is no organized cervical cancer screening program in Germany.