Acetowhitening is used to detect subclinical lesions of which condition?

• A. Genital warts
• B. Herpes simplex
• C. Candidiasis
• D. Lichen sclerosus

Answer: (A)

Acetowhitening reveals HPV-related changes in epithelium. When dilute acetic acid is applied to genital mucosa, cells infected by human papillomavirus show increased nuclear density and koilocytosis, which causes these areas to turn white temporarily. This makes subclinical genital warts visible that might not be obvious on exam, guiding further evaluation or treatment.

Other conditions listed don’t produce the same whitening pattern: herpes typically shows vesicular/ulcerative lesions, candidiasis presents with erythema and thick white discharge, and lichen sclerosus presents as white, atrophic patches.