HPV infections and flat penile lesions of the penis in men who have sex with men.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Flat penile lesions (FPL) in heterosexual men are thought to play a role in the transmission of HPV. We investigated the association between FPL and penile HPV, and explored determinants of FPL in men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods

In 2015-2016, MSM were recruited based on HIV and penile HPV status in a previous cohort. MSM self-completed a questionnaire. Peniscopy was performed after application of acetic acid to visualize FPL. Penile physician-collected samples were tested for HPV-DNA using the highly sensitive SPF10-PCR DEIA/LiPA25 system. HPV viral load (VL) was determined using a quantitative type-specific (q)PCR targeting the L1-region. Presence of HPV and HIV, HPV VL and circumcision status were compared between MSM with and without FPL.

Results

We included 116 MSM, of whom 59/116 (51%) MSM were HIV-positive and 54/116 (47%) had FPL. A penile HPV infection was present in 31/54 (57%) MSM with FPL and 34/62 (55%) MSM without FPL (p?=?0.8). There was no difference between MSM with and without FPL regarding presence of penile HPV infection, HPV VL, HIV status or circumcision status (p?>?0.05 for all).

Conclusion

Among MSM in Amsterdam, we found no association between FPL and penile HPV, HPV VL, HIV status or circumcision status.

SUBMITTER: Van Bilsen WPH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6595232 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature