Condyloma acuminatum is caused by infection with which virus?

• A. Herpes simplex virus
• B. Human papillomavirus
• C. Cytomegalovirus
• D. Epstein-Barr virus

Answer: (B)

Genital warts (condyloma acuminatum) arise from infection with human papillomavirus, most often types 6 and 11. These low-risk HPV types infect the squamous epithelium through microabrasions and drive the growth of soft, cauliflower-like lesions; histology often shows koilocytosis, a cytopathic change in infected cells. The other viruses listed cause different clinical pictures—herpes simplex virus produces painful ulcers, cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus lead to illnesses such as mononucleosis-like syndromes or associated diseases—so they don’t account for condyloma acuminatum. HPV is a non-enveloped, circular double-stranded DNA virus transmitted primarily through sexual contact.