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Researchers from the Autonomous
University of Barcelona, the Lluita Contra la SIDA (Fight Against AIDS)
Foundation, and the IrsiCaixa Foundation in Spain report high rates of human
papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the oral, anal, and penile cavities of
HIV-infected men, particularly in the anal cavities of men who have sex with
men (MSM).
For each year from 2005 to 2009, the
researchers investigated the presence of HPV among 733 male HIV-infected
patients at the Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital in Badalona, Spain, including
538 MSM. The researchers also studied the rate of new infections and clearance
of the virus during the four years of study. In the sample studied, the
prevalence rates were 73 percent of cases with anal HPV, 26 percent with
penile, and 16 percent in oral sites; new cases during the four years were 36
percent with anal HPV, 17 percent penile, and 11 percent oral.
The results indicate high prevalence
and incidence of HPV in the three sites and a low clearance rate. MSM presented
higher prevalence (84 percent) and incidence in the anal canal, and lower
clearance percentage than heterosexuals, but prevalence in heterosexuals was
also high at 42 percent. The researchers commented that the prevalence in MSM
was expected, but the prevalence in the heterosexual group was unexpected. In
other sites, prevalence, incidence, and clearance were similar and coinfection
in all three sites was similar at 7 percent in heterosexuals and 6 percent in
MSM. The study found lower prevalence of HPV infection in anal sites of
patients treated with antiretrovirals, but this was a weak effect.
The researchers recommended routine
oral, penile, and anal examinations for all HIV-positive patients during annual
clinic regardless of sexual behavior and practices.
The full report, “Natural History of
Human Papillomavirus Infections Involving Anal, Penile, and Oral Sites Among
HIV-Positive Men,” was published online in the journal Sexually Transmitted
Diseases (2013; doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e31827e87bd).
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus.
To learn more about The Friends of
AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
