Epidemiology of Low-Risk Human Papillomavirus

Abstract

Infection with low-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs), mostly type 6 and 11, in the upper respiratory tract causes recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). Despite a relatively low incidence rate, RRP imposes significant morbidity upon affected patients and an enormous financial burden on the healthcare system. RRP can be further categorized into juvenile-onset RRP and adult-onset RRP, depending on the onset age. They may associate with different risk factors and incidence rates. Here, we review the epidemiology of RRP caused by low-risk HPV infection and discuss the impact of HPV vaccination on the prevalence of low-risk HPVs that cause RRP.