Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a small non-enveloped virus with an icosahedral capsid and contains a double-stranded DNA genome. The virus is epitheliotropic and infects mucosal or cutaneous epithelium. Over the past years, more than 180 different HPV strains have been identified and are classified into genera, species, types, and variants. HPVs give rise to a large spectrum of epithelial lesions, ranging from benign hyperplasia with the low malignant potential to precancerous lesions having high malignant potential. Among these HPV strains, HPV-1, 2 and 4 are associated with common warts, whereas HPV-6 and 11 are associated with respiratory papillomas. Furthermore, there is also a subgroup of HPVs, the 'high-risk' HPVs (HPV-16, 18, 33 and 35) which are associated with precancerous lesions. Learn more: hpv antibody