Prevalence of human papilloma virus in men attending the infertility clinic

Subclinical human papilloma virus is a potential carcinogen in the male and female genital tract. The sexually active male infertility population represents a high risk group for harbouring this disease. To determine the prevalence of subclinical human papillomavirus in this group, penoscopy was done on 96 male patients visiting the infertility clinic. The feasibility of routine penoscopy as part of the infertility work-up was also investigated. Of the 96 patients 20 had aceto-white lesions on their penises with penoscopy. Thirteen patients (13.5%), 12 proven by biopsy of the aceto-white lesions, and one proven by fluid in situ hybridization on superficial epithelial cells of the distal urethra, were positive for human papillomavirus. Two of the 12 biopsy-positive cases were also proven positive by fluid in situ hybridization. It was concluded that human papillomavirus had a high prevalence amongst asymptomatic male patients attending the infertility clinic and that penoscopy should be included as routine investigation in the work-up of the male infertility patient.