Abstract: In order to study whether there are human papillomaviruses (HPV) in the vapor during CO₂ laser treatment of condyloma acuminatum, the vapor and skin lesions were detected for HPV DNA 6 and 11 by PCR. Result: 19 of 21 skin lesions were positive for HPV DNA. The vapor specimens collected 5 cm (21 samples) and 50 cm (12 samples) from the laser treated area were all negative. No inhibitory substances which influence the detection of HPV DNA were found in the vapor and vapor adsorbed materials. The results of this study suggest that no HPV DNA were found during treating genital warts by high power CO₂ laser.

Key words: Condyloma acuminatum, Human papillomavirus, Carbon dioxide laser, Vapor