Human papillomavirus infection among male adolescents and young adults with perinatally-acquired HIV and without HIV in Thailand

Abstract

HIV infection may increase the risk of persistent infection and complications. Perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV) and HIV-uninfected male adolescents and young adults (AYA) in Thailand were matched by age and number of lifetime sexual partners. HPV infection at oral, anal, penile, and scrotal sites was detected by polymerase chain reaction. A total of 49 PHIV and 47 HIV-uninfected male AYA (median age 18 [17–20] years) were enrolled (June 2013– September 2014). Overall, 18 were men who had sex with men (MSM) (12% of PHIV and 26% of HIV-uninfected AYA; P=0.12). Among the PHIV, the median (IQR) CD4 cell count was 573 (434–747) cells/mm³ and 69% had HIV RNA load <40 copies/mL. The prevalence of any HPV infection was 61% in PHIV and 49% in HIV-uninfected AYA (P=0.23); and that of high-risk HPV infection was 33% in PHIV and 28% in HIV-uninfected AYA (P=0.59). Among those with HPV, 55% were infected with any high-risk HPV type and 28% had HPV-16 and/or HPV-18. In multivariate models, smoking (OR 6.10, 95% CI, 1.19–31.35, P=0.01) and prior history of STI symptoms (OR 5.01, 95% CI, 1.63–15.40, P=0.004) were associated with high-risk HPV infection. HPV vaccination in early adolescence presents a valuable but missed prevention opportunity.

Keywords: HIV; human papillomavirus; male adolescents; perinatal; prevalence.

Figure 1.

High-risk HPV genotypes detected across four anatomical sites (i.e., oral, anal, penile, scrotal), by HIV status (N=96)