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Fig. 5.
Characteristics of the main types of HPV, with examples (Chen et al_, 2014; McBride, 2021)_
| Type | Cell tropism | Characteristics | Examples of HPV types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alphapapillomavirus | Mostly epithelial cells of the oral cavity and genital mucosa | The largest and best-known group. They include low-risk types responsible for the development of warts or condylomas and high-risk, so-called oncogenic types associated with the development of cancer. | 6, 11,16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58 |
| Betapapillomavirus | Skin (including hair follicles) | Common skin viruses, often acquired during childhood. A frequent component of the skin microbiome. In immunocompromised individuals and when exposed to UV radiation, some types may contribute to the development of non-melanoma skin cancer. | 5, 8, 14 |
| Gammapapillomavirus | Skin of the hands or feet | Common skin viruses, usually asymptomatic infection. May cause skin warts. | 4, 65, 95 |
| Mupapillomavirus | Skin of the feet (soles) | Skin viruses causing plantar warts in children and adolescents resolve spontaneously. | 1, 63 |
| Nupapillomavirus | Skin (hands, feet) | Skin viruses. Associated with common warts. The course of infection is mild and self-limiting. | 1 |