What is the role of histology in the evaluation of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection?
Histology for Diagnosis of HPV Infection Histological findings of HPV infection are quite valuable. Histologic Findings of HPV • Viral multiplication occurs inside the host cell nucleus. • Nuclear atypia in infected cells i.e. a pre-neoplastic, malignant or reactive stage • Presence of abnormal koilocytes; a sign of productive HPV infection • Acanthosis • Multinucleation • Dyskeratosis Koilocytosis in HPV Infection Koilocytosis, also known as koilocytic atypia or koilocytotic atypia, is the presence of koilocytes in a specimen. When a squamous epithelial cell undergoes several structural changes as a result of HPV infection, it is known as koilocyte. It is characteristic histological finding in a suspected specimen of HPV infection. It is a cytopathic effect which includes several cellular changes such as • nuclear enlargement up to 2-3 times the original size • irregular raisinoid appearance of the nuclear membrane • hyperchromasia i.e. dark staining pattern • occurrence of perinuclear halo or cytoplasmic vacuolization.