HPV 51 types: detection, treatment

Of the many known to date human papillomavirus strains, more than three dozen infect the genital and anus region, and among them there are potentially oncogenic, in particular, HPV 51 or HPV 51.

What is the danger of HPV 51?

The most oncogenic are strains  of the human papillomavirus  HPV 16 and HPV 18, which are associated with 70% of cervical cancer cases, as well as the Bowenoid papulosis. In almost a third of cases, the development of cervical adenocarcinoma is associated with strains of HPV 31 and HPV 45, but the danger is also type 51, which is transmitted mainly during sexual intercourse.

What is the danger of HPV 51? This strain of the virus, which affects the epithelium in the genital area and the anus, is dangerous not only because it can provoke cervical dysplasia and cause the formation of  genital warts  (condyloma acuminata). The genotype 51 of high-risk HPV oncology, as it is introduced into healthy epithelial cells, it can trigger the process of their uncontrolled proliferation, which leads to the formation of  genital warts  and their malignant degeneration.

As a result, you can face the development of cervical carcinoma (cervical cancer, which accounts for 25% of all cancers in women) or squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina; cancer of the anus,  perianal area and rectum; malignant tumors of the external genital organs of women and men; oncology of the mucous oropharyngeal region (oropharynx).

Gynecologists warn that any abnormal changes in the tissues of the vagina and / or cervix when combined with a papillomavirus infection, for example, when there is flat or erectile  leukoplakia  of the cervix and HPV type 51, significantly increase the risk of oncology. The same danger exists if HPV types 16, 18, 31 or 45 are attached to erosion of the cervix.

Structure HPV type 51

HPV 51, like all strains of the genus Papillomavirus, is a species-specific DNA virus. The structure of each virion is an icosahedral shell (capsid), whose diameter does not exceed 0.055 μm. It consists of several tens of structural protein subunits - capsomer, containing capsid proteins L1 and L2, which protect the viral DNA.

The entire protein coding sequence, the double-stranded ring DNA of HPV 51, consists of one molecule containing approximately 8,000 base pairs bound to protein globules. In the genome of the virus, three functional areas are identified:

• non-coding region of NCR with the p97 core promoter regulating DNA replication;
• E-region with ORF (open reading frame) and coding nucleotides E1, E2, E4, E5, E6 and E7, which are involved in viral replication and oncogenesis;
• the LCR region encoding the structural proteins L1 and L2 for the viral capsid.

The viral genes E1 and E2 are responsible for its replication and transcription of DNA; E4 - for the maturation and release of viral particles in host cells; E5, E6 and E7 - for the transformation of affected epithelial cells and their unrestricted reproduction without natural apoptosis (immortalization).

The study of papillomavirus showed its peculiarity: gene expression and viral replication occur not in the cytoplasm of the host cell but in its nucleus. And most of all, basal keratinocytes are used for this - cells Malpighian (germ) layer of the epidermis, where HPV is introduced. The cells of this layer have a spherical core, which provides mitosis (indirect division) and a constant regeneration of tissues.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]

Life cycle HPV type 51

After introduction into the epidermal cells, the life cycle of HPV begins with the suppression of local immunity: at the gene level, the viral oncoprotein E6 blocks the release of macrophage cells from pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin IL-18). In addition, the E6 and E7 proteins, directly related to the oncogenic potential of HPV 51, inactivate the cellular proteins p53 (transcription factor growth) and the pRb protein (cell cycle inhibitory suppressor of atypical cells). Thus, loss of p53 and pRb functions removes all barriers for uncontrolled proliferation of mutated (with mutated DNA) cells of the germinal and prickly layers of the epidermis.

In this case, from the moment of infection to its clinical manifestations, months and even years pass, that is HPV have a hidden life cycle, and the presence of a virus on the skin of healthy people confirms the latent nature of  papillomavirus infection.

[7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13]

Symptoms

The timing of manifestation of papillomavirus infection in patients depends on the state of their immune system. And the obvious symptoms of HPV 51 in women have the appearance of genital  warts of the cervix  or vagina - asymptomatic or itching and burning of dense, wartlike legs, single or multiple outgrowths on the skin and mucous, often causing discomfort in sexual intercourse, abnormal discharge, etc. Read more in the material -  Genital warts in women

During the formation of condyloma, the symptoms of the disease may not manifest. Often patients notice a malaise only with the rapid growth of formations, which is manifested by the appearance of pronounced excretions (which often cause irritation of the skin of the vagina and external genital organs), and an itchy and burning sensation in the vagina.

About how HPV 51 can manifest itself in men, read in the publication -  Genital warts in men

Special attention is paid to medical problems such as HPV 51 and pregnancy. First of all, when planning pregnancy, it is best to make sure beforehand that the woman does not have this virus. If HPV 51 (or another strain) is found, the infection should be cured before the pregnancy.

When the formation of genital warts begins during pregnancy (which is associated with physiological immunosuppression of the woman's body in this period), then, according to experts, a newborn can get infected with viruses during childbirth. Studies by British pediatricians have shown that the number of infants born to infected mothers with HPV is about 5%. In rare cases, these children are diagnosed with  palillomatosis of the larynx  or vocal cords.

But the risk of spontaneous abortion, premature birth or other complications is negligible. Seldom condylomata of the vagina or cervix grow during pregnancy to such a size as to block the birth canal. But if this happens, a caesarean section is performed.

[14], [15], [16], [17]

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of HPV 51 suggests:

• detection of HPV DNA 51 in a urogenital smear (using PCR-genotyping);
• Digene test (reveals the concentration of the virus);
• calcoscopy;
• PAP-test and  cytology of cervix  (histological study of biopsy specimen for atypical cells).

Detailed information in the material -  Papillomavirus infection: detection of human papillomavirus

[18], [19], [20], [21]

Treatment

What if I have type 51 HPV? Carry out treatment for genital warts,  condylomatosis of the  perianal region and genital warts.

What methods are used to treat HPV 51, and what drugs are prescribed, is detailed in the publications:

• Treatment of genital warts
• Wax from genital warts
• Suppositories from HPV
• Removal of genital warts

Prevention HPV type 51

Specific prevention of human papillomavirus infection, including HPV type 51, is not guaranteed even by barrier methods of contraception, although using a condom slightly reduces the risk of infection.

And for the earliest possible detection of an infection, which, as already noted above, can not show itself by anything, it is necessary to periodically undergo gynecological examinations.

[22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30]

Forecast

According to some reports, the number of cases of oncology development for HPV infection 51 does not exceed 3%. But even without causing cancer, the virus weakens the body and can affect the reproductive functions of both women and men.

[31], [32]