Genital warts are most commonly caused by which HPV types?

• A. HPV 16 and 18
• B. HPV 6 and 11
• C. HPV 31 and 33
• D. HPV 45 and 52

Answer: (B)

Genital warts arise from infection with low-risk human papillomavirus types. The two most common culprits are HPV types 6 and 11, which are responsible for the vast majority of genital wart cases and form wart-like growths on the genital and perianal skin. These types rarely lead to cancer, unlike high-risk HPV types such as 16 and 18 that are linked to cervical and other cancers, and other high-risk types like 31, 33, 45, and 52. So, when genital warts are present, HPV 6 and 11 are the typical etiologic culprits. Vaccines that cover these strains help prevent warts in addition to protection against cancers caused by high-risk types.