Human Papillomavirus Infection Among 2460 Men in Denmark. Issue 8 (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hebnes, Julie Buchholt; Munk, Christian; Nøhr, Bugge; Nielsen, Ann; Jørgensen, Hans Ole; Iftner, Thomas; Kjaer, Susanne Krüger
• Is Part Of: Sexually transmitted diseases. Volume 42:Issue 8(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; Sexual health -- Periodicals; 616.951005
• DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000315
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-5717

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Background</title> <p>It is crucial to understand the epidemiology and natural history of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in both men and women, to prevent the increasing HPV-related disease burden in men. Data on HPV prevalence among men in the general population are limited. In this cross-sectional population-based study, we aimed to estimate genital HPV infection prevalence in Danish men using 2 different test methods.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods</title> <p>Penile swab samples from 2460 male employees and conscripts at military barracks in Denmark were tested for HPV DNA with the hybrid capture 2 (HC2) method, and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, Inno-LiPA. The overall and age- and type-specific prevalence of HPV infection with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated, and the correlation between the 2 assays was assessed.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results</title> <p>The overall HPV prevalence was 22.2% (95% CI, 20.6–23.9) in the HC2 test and 41.8% (95% CI, 39.9–43.8) with PCR. Of the PCR-positive samples, 50.9% were negative in the HC2 test. Of 183 PCR-positive samples that could not be genotyped (HPVX), 88.0% (95% CI, 83.2–92.7) were HC2 negative. The most prevalent types were HPV-51, HPV-16, HPV-66, HPV-53, and HPV-6. The prevalence of high-risk and low-risk HPV peaked among men aged 20 to 29 years, whereas the HPVX prevalence increased with age.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Human papillomavirus is highly prevalent in the general male population of Denmark, with HPV-16 and HPV-51 being the most prevalent. Polymerase chain reaction detects twice as many positive samples as HC2 but includes HPVX, possibly representing cutaneous HPV types found on normal genital skin.</p> </sec> </abstract>