Niedrigrisikotypen

Niedrigrisikotypen (low-risk types) is a term used in virology, most often in reference to human papillomavirus (HPV). It designates a subset of HPV types that are associated with benign lesions and have a limited, if any, oncogenic potential compared with high-risk types that are linked to cancer. The distinction between low- and high-risk types reflects differences in disease severity and cancer risk.

The best-known examples are HPV types 6 and 11, which are responsible for the majority of genital warts and for some cases of laryngeal papillomatosis. Several additional mucosal HPV types are classified as low-risk, though the exact lists vary by health authority. Low-risk types can cause visible lesions but rarely progress to malignancy; they typically do not integrate into the host genome as high-risk types often can.

Diagnosis and management are largely clinical. Molecular typing by PCR or other methods can identify the infecting type in lesions, but this information does not usually alter initial treatment. Treatments focus on removal or reduction of lesions; there is no specific antiviral cure for HPV infections. Vaccination can prevent infection with certain low-risk types; vaccines such as Gardasil 9 cover HPV 6 and 11 in addition to several high-risk types. Vaccination does not cure established infections.

Epidemiology and prevention emphasize that most infections are asymptomatic and self-limiting, with spontaneous clearance within one to two years. Prevention strategies include vaccination, safe-sex practices, and public health measures to reduce transmission. The overall risk associated with any given low-risk type is substantially lower than the risk associated with high-risk oncogenic types.