[Infection with human papillomavirus in men]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) posing a global health challenge.
• Specific risk factors in men increase HPV transmission, leading to genital tract infections, cancers, and precancerous lesions.
• High HPV prevalence (up to 95%) is observed in men with HIV, regardless of sexual practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review updated information on HPV in men.
• To understand the role of HPV as an STI impacting sexual health and public health.
• To analyze the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in male populations.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies from 2015 to the present.
• Searched databases: PubMed, LILACS, and EMBASE.
• Included studies specifically on men and the HPV vaccine, excluding those on warts or general STIs.

Main Results:

• The mean clearance time for persistent HPV strains (6, 11, 16, 18) ranged from 3.2 to 9.2 months.
• HPV acquisition is common in men, with varying detection rates across anogenital sites.
• Median duration of HPV infection was 7.52 months for any type and up to 18.17 months for HPV-16 in a Mexican population sample.

Conclusions:

• The HPV vaccine represents a significant advancement in disease prevention.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) supports including HPV vaccines in national immunization programs.
• Vaccination contributes to the eradication of genital cancers in both women and men.