Which pathogen is associated with condyloma acuminatum?

• A. Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• B. Herpes Simplex Virus
• C. Chlamydia Trachomatis
• D. Treponema Pallidum

Answer: (A)

Condyloma acuminatum are genital warts caused by human papillomavirus infection. These lesions are usually soft, cauliflower-like growths resulting from HPV infecting the squamous epithelium, most often the low-risk types 6 and 11. They’re transmitted through sexual contact and can appear in the genital or perianal area. The other pathogens produce different clinical pictures: herpes simplex virus causes painful vesicular lesions and ulcerations; Chlamydia trachomatis leads to mucopurulent cervicitis or urethritis; Treponema pallidum causes syphilis with chancres and, in secondary syphilis, condylomata lata rather than warts. Thus the pathogen linked with condyloma acuminatum is HPV.