[The significance of human papillomavirus infection in cervix cancer and its preliminary stages (including other HPV-induced genital lesions)].

Southern blot analysis, DNA dot blot technique and in situ hybridization were used to examine cells and tissues from lesions of the female genital tracts for infections of human papillomaviruses (HPV) of the types 6/11, 16/18 as well as 31/33 and 35. As the degree of dysplasia increased the proportion of HPV-positive results increased significantly, especially for the HPV types 16/18; there was a decrease in the HPV DNA 6/11-positive cases. In the first follow-up examinations of cervical smears of the Pap. IIID type after 6 months there was a persistence of 84.2%. Of these, 57.8% were HPV 16/18-positive, and 18.2% could be classified as belonging to Pap. group IV. The importance of HPV typing lies in the definitions of the pathogens, risk groups, therapeutic measures and their controls.