Abstract
ObjectiveHuman Papillomavirus (HPV) infection in men may produce cancer and other major disorders. Men play an important role in the transmission of the virus and act as a reservoir. The aim of this study was to determine the HPV-genotypes and their prevalence in a group of men attending a Sexually Transmitted Infection service.Patients and SamplesBetween July 2002 and June 2011, 1392 balanopreputial, 435 urethral, 123 anal, and 67 condyloma lesions from 1551 men with a mean age of 35.8±11.3 years old (range: 17–87) were collected for HPV-DNA testing.MethodsA fragment of the L1-gene and a fragment of the E6/E7-genes were amplified by PCR. Positive samples were typed by hybridization.ResultsThe HPV genome was detected in 36.9% (486/1318) balanopreputial and in 24.9% (101/405) urethral (p<0.0001) swabs from 38.1% (538) of 1469 men. Co-infections were present in 5.4% (80/1469) of cases. HPV was found in 43.9% (373/850) of men younger than 35 vs. 31.7% (187/589) of men aged >35. HPV was found in 59.4% (104) of 165 men with lesions (macroscopic or positive peniscopy), and in 22.8% (61/267) without clinical alterations. HPV was also detected in 71.4% (40/56) men with condylomata and in 58.7% (64/109) of men with positive peniscopy.ConclusionsHPV prevalence in men was high and decreased with age. HPV was found more frequently in balanopreputial than in urethral swabs. There was a low rate of co-infections. Low-risk HPV vaccine genotypes were the most recurrent especially in younger. Although HPV has been associated with clinical alterations, it was also found in men without any clinical presentation. Inclusion of men in the national HPV vaccination program may reduce their burden of HPV-related disease and reduce transmission of the virus to non-vaccinated women.
Highlights
Papillomaviruses are the most sexually transmitted viruses
human papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with clinical alterations, it was found in men without any clinical presentation
Inclusion of men in the national HPV vaccination program may reduce their burden of HPV-related disease and reduce transmission of the virus to non-vaccinated women
Summary
Papillomaviruses are the most sexually transmitted viruses. Experimental and epidemiological data imply a causative role for HPVs and they appear to be the second most important risk factor for cancer development in humans, exceeded only by tobacco usage [1].The most common cause of mortality related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is cervical cancer (annually 530.00 cases, with 270.000 deaths). HPV infection is an important concern for men, due to disease burden and the risk of transmission. The incidence of HPV-related anal and oral cancers is increasing among the general population and it is growing even faster among immunocompromised individuals because of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection [4]. MSM are at increased risk of developing cancers in sites that are associated with HPV in the oral cavity and oropharynx compared with the other men [6,7]. Knowledge and control of the human papilloma virus has a significant impact on these diseases Prophylactic vaccination targeting these high risk genotypes is expected to have a major impact on the burden of cervical cancer as well as that of other HPV-related cancers [19]. Success of HPV vaccination is a matter of coverage [20]
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