P520 HPV infections and flat penile lesions of the penis in men who have sex with men. (14th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bilsen, Ward Van; Kovaleva, Alexandra; Bleeker, Maaike; King, Audrey; Bruisten, Sylvia; Brokking, Wilma; Vries, Henry De; Meijer, Chris; Loeff, Maarten Schim Van Der
• Is Part Of: Sexually transmitted infections. Volume 95(2019)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A237
• Page End: A238
• Publication Date: 2019-07-14
• Subjects: gay bisexual and other men who have sex with men -- HPV; Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Periodicals; 616.951005
• DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2019-sti.598
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-4973

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Flat penile lesions (FPL) in heterosexual men are thought to play a role in the transmission of HPV. We investigated the association between FPL and penile HPV, and explored determinants of FPL in men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: In 2015–2016, MSM were recruited based on HIV and penile HPV status in a previous study. MSM self-completed a questionnaire. Peniscopy was performed after application of acetic acid to visualize FPL. Penile physician-collected samples were tested for HPV-DNA using the highly sensitive SPF10-PCR DEIA/LiPA25 system. If tested positive for HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58 and/or 59, we determined the HPV viral load (VL), using type-specific L1-targeting quantitative (q)PCR. Presence of HPV and HIV, HPV VL and circumcision status were compared between MSM with and without FPL. Results: We included 116 MSM, of whom 59/116 (51%) were HIV-positive and 54/116 (47%) had FPL. A penile HPV infection was present in 31/54 (57%) MSM with FPL and in 34/62 (55%) MSM without FPL (p=0.8). Among MSM with FPL, 16/54 (30%) had an hrHPV infection and 23/54 (43%) had a lrHPV infection, which did not significantly differ from MSM without FPL (p=0.5 and p=0.4, respectively). A detectable HPV VL was found in 10/54 (19%) MSM with FPL and in 10/62 (16%) MSM without FPL (p=0.6). Among MSM with FPL, 27/54 (50%) were HIV-positive and 5/54 (9%) were circumcised, and among MSM without FPL, 32/62 (54%) were HIV-positive and 13/62 (21%) were circumcised (p=0.9 and p=0.09, respectively). Conclusion: Among MSM in Amsterdam, we found no association between FPL and penile HPV, HPV VL, HIV status or circumcision status, which is in contrast with findings among heterosexual males. Our findings imply that FPL are not useful in identifying HPV infections with a high transmission potential in this population. Disclosure: No significant relationships.