Anal Human Papillomavirus Infection in Women and Its Relationship with Cervical Infection

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer, is also associated with the development of anal cancer. Relatively little is known about the epidemiology of anal HPV infection among healthy females and its relationship to cervical infection. We sought to characterize anal HPV infection in a cohort of adult women in Hawaii. Overall, 27% (372 of 1,378) of women were positive for anal HPV DNA at baseline compared with 29% (692 of 2,372) with cervical HPV DNA. Among women with paired anal and cervical samples, anal infection without accompanying cervical infection was observed in 14% (190 of 1,363). Concurrent anal and cervical HPV infections were observed in 13% (178 of 1,363) of women. Women with cervical HPV infection had >3-fold increased risk of concurrent anal infection. Concurrent anal and cervical HPV infection was most prevalent among the youngest women and steadily decreased through age 50 years. By contrast, the prevalence of anal infection alone remained relatively steady in all age groups. Compared with cervical infections, the overall distribution of HPV genotypes in the anus was more heterogeneous and included a greater proportion of nononcogenic types. A high degree of genotype-specific concordance was observed among concurrent anal and cervical infections, indicating a common source of infection. Nevertheless, the association of anal intercourse with anal HPV infection was limited to those women without accompanying cervical infection. The relationship of anal to cervical infection as described in this study has implications for the development of anal malignancies in women. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2005;14(11):2550 -6)

Transmission of Human Papillomavirus in Heterosexual Couples

“…We observed consistency between penis-to-female anus transmission and reported anal intercourse during the corresponding period. We previously demonstrated high genotypic concordance between concurrent cervical-anal infections in women, which indicates possible common sources of infection (20).…”

Number of siblings and the risk of solid tumours: a nation-wide study

“…For cervical cancer, we observed a 16% increased risk for large sibship size in the same age group. Specific types of human papillomavirus have been identified as causative agents of at least 90% of cancers of the cervix and more than 50% of other anogenital cancers (zur Hausen, 1996;Hernandez et al, 2005). Vertical transmission from mother to infant during birth is well established (zur Hausen and de Villiers, 2005), while postnatal acquisition by nonsexual horizontal transmission can occur rarely (Frega et al, 2003;Sinclair et al, 2005).…”

Diagnóstico de HPV anal em mulheres com NIC: prevenção de câncer do ânus?

“…Em pacientes sem imunodeficiências, entretanto, essa associação ainda não está esclarecida, o que pode contribuir para a falta de normas adequadas para diagnosticar o HPV e prevenir o câncer de ânus [4][5][6] . A frequência do câncer de ânus antes considerada baixa encontra-se atualmente em elevação considerá-vel, principalmente o carcinoma de células escamosas (CCE).…”