Penile human papillomavirus carriage among men attending Swedish STD clinics

Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, we found that up to 84% of 228 men consecutively attending two Swedish STD clinics harboured human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 or 16. Mean age of the patients was 28 years (range 17-58); 70% were between 17 and 30 years old. Among men without a previous history of, or contact with, condylomata the frequency of HPV 6 detection was 76% using the PCR/dot blot (DB) analysis and 43% with the PCR/agarose gel (AG) technique. The corresponding figures for HPV 16 were 46% and 13%, respectively. These figures were comparable to those found in men with existing condylomata infection or sexual exposure to a partner with condylomata. Although the test group represents a selected high-risk population for STD including HPV, our results indicate that a high frequency of occult HPV carriage exists among sexually-active males. The significance of these findings is discussed.