Sexually transmitted papillomaviral infections in the male: I. Anatomic distribution and clinical features.

The epidemic of sexually transmitted papillomaviral infection and the suspected role of this virus in the etiology of squamous cancer within the lower genital tract make the clinical assessment of male consorts an essential component in disease control. Of 223 infected sites in 154 males, only 56 per cent of areas showed classic exophytic condylomata. The remaining 44 per cent were detected only after application of 3% acetic acid. Despite the dramatic macroscopic differences between the subclinical and condylomatous variance of human papillomaviral (HPV) infection, both forms showed infectious virus particles. Hence, soaking with 3% acetic acid and examination using a hand lens should become a routine part of the clinical examination for papillomaviral infection in the male genitalia.