What causes respiratory papilloma?

From the Guidelines

Respiratory papilloma is primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), specifically types 6 and 11 1. This virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted from mother to child during birth, or through close contact with an infected person 1. In rare cases, other types of HPV may also be responsible. The condition is characterized by the growth of benign tumors, or papillomas, in the air passages leading from the nose and mouth into the lungs.

Key Points

• The virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted from mother to child during birth, or through close contact with an infected person 1.
• The condition is characterized by the growth of benign tumors, or papillomas, in the air passages leading from the nose and mouth into the lungs.
• There is no specific medication to cure respiratory papilloma, but treatments such as surgery to remove the papillomas, and in some cases, the use of antiviral medications like interferon, may be recommended to manage the condition 1.

Transmission and Prevention

• The route of transmission (i.e., transplacental, perinatal, or postnatal) is not completely understood 1.
• Whether cesarean section prevents respiratory papillomatosis in infants and children also is unclear 1.
• Pregnant women with genital warts should be counseled concerning the low risk for warts on the larynx (recurrent respiratory papillomatosis) in their infants or children 1.
• HPV vaccination is recommended to prevent HPV-related diseases, including respiratory papillomatosis 1.

From the Research

Causes of Respiratory Papilloma

• Respiratory papilloma, also known as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), is caused by human papillomaviruses (HPVs), primarily types 6 and 11 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• The disease is characterized by multiple recurrences of airway papillomas, resulting in high levels of morbidity and significant mortality 2.
• The prevalence of latent HPV in the larynx of the general population is much greater than the prevalence of RRP, suggesting a host-susceptibility factor for disease 2.

Transmission of HPV

• Most infections in children occur at birth, during passage through the birth canals of contaminated mothers 3.
• In adults, HPV is transmitted sexually 3.

Disease Course and Symptoms

• The disease course is unpredictable, ranging from spontaneous remission to aggressive persistent or recurrent disease 3.
• Clinically, RRP usually presents with nonspecific symptoms of airway involvement, including chronic cough, hoarseness, wheezing, voice change, stridor, and chronic dyspnea 3.