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Use of Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay to Characterize Novel T-cell Epitopes of Human Papillomavirus
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Human papillomavirus prevalence and type distribution in male anogenital sites and semen

Carrie M Nielson1, Roberto Flores, Robin B Harris

  • 1Arizona Cancer Center and Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology
|June 6, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is common in asymptomatic men, with over half testing positive. The penile shaft showed the highest prevalence of HPV, including multiple and oncogenic types.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Epidemiology
  • Men's Health

Background:

  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection.
  • HPV is a known cause of cervical cancer, but its prevalence and distribution in men are less understood.
  • Understanding HPV infection in men is crucial for public health and partner transmission research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of type-specific HPV infection in men.
  • To characterize the distribution of HPV infections across different anogenital anatomic sites in men.
  • To investigate the types of HPV prevalent in a male population.

Main Methods:

  • Tested 463 men (ages 18-40) for 37 HPV types using PCR and reverse line blot.
  • Collected specimens from seven sites: glans/corona, penile shaft, scrotum, urethra, perianal area, anal canal, and semen.
  • Included men with recent sexual activity with a woman and no history of genital warts.

Main Results:

  • 51.2% of men tested positive for at least one HPV type; 14.3% for unclassified types.
  • HPV-16 (11.4%) and HPV-84 (10.6%) were the most prevalent types.
  • External genital sites (penile shaft, glans/corona, scrotum) were more likely to harbor oncogenic HPV (25.1%) compared to anal sites (5.0%).

Conclusions:

  • Comprehensive anogenital sampling reveals higher HPV prevalence in asymptomatic men than previously reported.
  • The penile shaft is the most common site for HPV infection in men, including multiple and oncogenic types.
  • Findings impact HPV research in men and understanding of sexual transmission dynamics between partners.

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