Abstract
The human papilloma virus is known to cause certain benign lesions in
man, and is suspected as an aetiological factor in some other tumours where
occasional carcinomatous change is known to occur. Investigations into this
subject have been limited because no means of propagating the virus outside
its natural host are yet available.
Techniques for demonstrating the virus in tissues, and results of the
examinction of different types of wart are discussed. The demonstration of
antibodies to the virus by precipitation in gel diffusion tests and by
complement fixation is described. Some features of these antibodies, and
also of antigens prepared from different types of wart are noted. The nature
of further studies, directed particularly towards identifying virus- induced
tumour antigens is indicated.
