Abstract
BackgroundHPV infection is common and may cause cancer among men who have sex with men (MSM). Anal HPV infection (HPV+) was found in 85% of HIV-positive (HIV+) and 59% of HIV-negative (HIV-) MSM in Bangkok, central Thailand. As little is known about HPV in this group in northern Thailand, we studied MSM subgroups comprised of gay men (GM), bisexual men (BM), and transgender women (TGW).MethodsFrom July 2012 through January 2013, 85 (42.5% of 200) GM, 30 (15%) BM, and 85 (42.5%) TGW who practiced receptive anal intercourse were recruited after informed consent, followed by self-assisted computer interview, HIV testing, and anal swabs for HPV genotyping.ResultsOf 197 adequate specimens, the overall prevalence of any HPV was 157 (80%). Prevalence was 89% (76/85) in GM, 48% (14/29) in BM, and 81% (67/83) in TGW. The most common high-risk types were HPV16 (27% of 197), HPV58 (23%), and HPV51 (18%). Prevalence of high-risk types was 74% in 85 GM, 35% in 29 BM, and 71% in 83 TGW. Prevalence of any HPV type, or high-risk type, was 100% and 94%, respectively, among 48 HIV+ MSM, 70% and 54% among 120 HIV- MSM. Of the 197 specimens, 36% (70) had HPV types 16 and/or 18 in the bivalent vaccine, compared to 48% (95) with ≥1 of types 16/18/06/11 in the quadrivalent, 56% (111) for 16/18/31/33/45/52/58 in the 7-valent, and 64% (126) for 16/18/31/33/45/52/58/06/11 in the 9-valent. HIV+, GM, and TGW were independently associated with HPV infection.ConclusionsWe found higher rates of both any HPV and high-risk types than previous studies. Among the heretofore unstudied TGW, their equivalent HPV rates were comparable to GM. Current and investigational HPV vaccines could substantially protect GM, BM, and TGW from the serious consequences of HPV infection especially among HIV + MSM.
Highlights
Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) are a group of DNA viruses commonly transmitted by sexual activity or other direct contact
HIV+, gay men (GM), and transgender women (TGW) were independently associated with HPV infection
Among the heretofore unstudied TGW, their equivalent HPV rates were comparable to GM
Summary
Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) are a group of DNA viruses commonly transmitted by sexual activity or other direct contact. [7] There are many categories of gender roles, gender identities, sexual orientations, and behaviors within the broad classification referred to as MSM in Thailand They are comprised of three sub groups: gay men (GM) who self-identify as men and prefer insertive and/or receptive anal sex with other men, bisexual men (BM) who self-identify as men and engage in insertive and/or receptive anal sex with men and women, and transgender women (TGW) who are born as anatomical males (and who may or may not have undergone genital surgery), but who self-identify as women and prefer receptive anal sex with men.[8,9,10] These groups have different sexual practices that may pose different risks for acquisition of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially for HPV. As little is known about HPV in this group in northern Thailand, we studied MSM subgroups comprised of gay men (GM), bisexual men (BM), and transgender women (TGW)
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