Human Papillomavirus Infections

Causative Agents and Clinical Presentations

Verruca vulgaris (common wart) is caused by HPV types 2 and 4, not types 6, 11, 16, or 18, and presents as well-circumscribed, flesh-colored growths with a white pebbly or papillary surface, occurring via autoinoculation from fingers to mouth 1, 2
HPV 6 and 11 cause genital warts (condyloma acuminatum) and squamous papillomas, accounting for approximately 90% of genital wart cases, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3, 4, 5
HPV 16 and 18 are high-risk oncogenic types strongly associated with cervical dysplasia, squamous intraepithelial neoplasia, and squamous cell carcinoma, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 3, 4, 1

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends distinguishing between the HPV types that cause common warts (verruca vulgaris) and those causing genital warts or malignancy-associated lesions, as HPV 2 and 4 cause benign cutaneous warts through autoinoculation, while HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 are sexually transmitted types with distinct anatomic distributions and malignant potential 3, 4, 1, 5