Identification of human papillomavirus types in oral verruca vulgaris.

Eleven oral verruca vulgaris specimens were examined for the presence of papillomavirus structural antigens by reaction with antibody to type-common antigens and detection by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. The specimens were also examined by in situ hybridization with biotin-labelled human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA to determine the specific HPV types present in the lesions. Six of the 11 specimens were positive for papillomavirus structural antigens. Of these 6, 5 hybridized to the HPV Type 2 (HPV2) probe and one to the HPV4 probe.