The role of HPV type in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis

Objective: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 6 and 11 are the aetiological agents responsible for Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP). There is general consensus that HPV11 results in more aggressive disease compared to HPV6. Method: Pubmed was searched using the terms respiratory papillomatosis, HPV 6 and HPV11. Comparisons were made in the outcomes of HPV6 versus HPV11 positive RRP disease. Results: There are numerous sub-types or variants of both HPV6 and HPV11. These sub-types have different activities at least in-vitro. The numbers of different HPV types within RRP tissue may be more extensive than initially appeared. This depends specifically upon the HPV types tested for. Conclusion: The clinical differences between HPV6 and HPV11 disease may not be accurately predictable as these viruses exist in numerous sub-types. Also, RRP tissue may contain more than one subtype or even be co-infected with other viruses that may influence outcome. In-vitro studies upon cell lines are a reasonable starting point for evaluation of these differences. © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.