[Detection of papillomavirus capsid antigens and human papillomavirus 16-related DNA in Bowenoid papulosis and Bowen disease].

In one out of 22 cases of histologically diagnosed bowenoid papulosis, we could detect human papilloma virus (HPV) capsid antigen in paraffin sections fixed with formalin by means of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) test; there were no positive findings regarding biopsies taken from Bowen's disease. Southern blot hybridization technique revealed HPV 16 DNA in 8 out of 10 cases of bowenoid papulosis; there was one positive identification out of 5 cases of Bowen's disease.