{"title":"Human papillomaviruses: pediatric perspectives on a family of multifaceted tumorigenic pathogens.","authors":"T. Cripe","doi":"10.1097/00006454-199011000-00012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/00006454-199011000-00012","url":null,"abstract":"As summarized here human papillomaviruses are associated with a wide spectrum of epithelial lesions, ranging from benign warts to invasive carcinomas. They have been difficult to study in part because they have not yet been propagated in tissue culture. Fortunately advances in molecular biology have allowed characterization of HPV genomes and identification of some HPV gene functions. In addition to their clinical importance HPVs represent an important tool for exploring virus-cell interactions, gene expression, cellular differentiation and cancer. HPV infections are not only common but also difficult to treat and prevent. Depending on the HPV type and location, the modes of HPV transmission may involve casual physical contact, sexual contact and perinatal vertical transmission. HPV DNA genomes replicate at a low copy number in basal cells and, as most clinicians know, are difficult to eradicate. There is often a long latent period and subclinical infections, and HPV DNA can be found in normal tissue adjacent to lesions. HPVs can cause widely disseminated lesions, especially in the immunocompromised host and in epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Aside from the rare carcinomas, the most serious life-threatening HPV-induced illness in children is recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Somewhat surprisingly in malignant lesions HPV DNA is also found as fragments incorporated into the cellular genome. Unlike retroviruses such as human immunodeficiency virus which integrate into the cellular genome as part of their life cycle, HPV integration is a terminal event for viral replication. Such integration may be critical, however, for viral-induced abnormal cell growth. Perhaps the most important implication of the finding that some anogenital cancers are in part sexually transmitted infectious diseases is that they may be preventable. The data overwhelmingly suggest that avoidance of exposure to HPV via abstinence or monogamy in both partners markedly reduces the risk of cervical cancer. A more realistic goal, however is prevention of HPV transmission by the use of barrier method contraceptives, which may be protective against development of cervical carcinoma. The America Association of Pediatrics Committee on Adolescents has outlined the obligation of pediatricians to be actively involved in adolescent education on sexually transmitted diseases. Certainly a fundamental knowledge of HPV epidemiology, the risks of HPV-related sequelae and prevention of HPV infection are important considerations for adolescent sexuality. Although helpful, such awareness alone falls far short of making an impact on sexual behaviors. A significant reduction in HPV infection rates could be achieved only by inundating adolescents at an early age with a highly visible society-wide campaign directed at these issues.","PeriodicalId":118937,"journal":{"name":"The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal","volume":"35 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1990-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124565308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Retroviruses: new viral infections in man","authors":"Salahuddin Sz, Markham Pd","doi":"10.1097/00006454-198805001-00020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/00006454-198805001-00020","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Human retroviruses, or RNA viruses, including the 2 HIV agents associated with AIDS, and the 2 HTLV agents causing leukemia, are described from the viewpoint of history, detection, serology, transformation mechanism, disease pathophysiology, genetic function, associated disease, and related viruses. Both HTLV and HIV infect the human T-lymphocytes, also known as CD4 or helper cells. Both can now be grown in culture, and their genomes are well characterized. HTLV, an acronym for human T-lymphotropic leukemia virus, causes the fulminating adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATLL), 1st described in 1977. It is prevalent in population clusters, notably in the Caribbean and in southwestern Japan, and is spread by sexual, blood and perinatal routes, as is HIV. It is thought to promote transformation of target cells by release of growth promoting, soluble factor, perhaps a product of the viral \"tat\" gene. Besides leukemia, HTLV-1 causes a myelopathy sometimes called tropical spastic paraparesis. HIV, formerly known as HTLV-III, causes depletion of the T-cells, and also infects the brain and nervous system. IT has also been isolated from semen, cervical secretions, saliva, monocytes, milk, endothelial cells, tears and cornea. HIV has 5 more genes than HTLV, which regulate transcription, mRNA processing and virus maturation. Parts of the HIV genome are highly heterogeneous, and mutate rapidly, notable sections of the envelope protein. Thus, HIV has 2 main subtypes, but others are known and probably exist. Approaches toward developing AIDS therapeutic agents as of 1987 are outlined: an effective drug should cross the blood-brain barrier. Several anti-viral drugs that block the enzyme reverse transcriptase area being investigated. Possible mechanisms for growth of Kaposi's sarcoma, activation of herpes type viruses, and animal viruses related to HTLV and HIV are discussed.\u0000","PeriodicalId":118937,"journal":{"name":"The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal","volume":"7 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1988-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130176723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}