Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection in Males: A Need for More Awareness

Abstract

Globally, human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral sexually transmitted pathogen, which is significantly associated with high morbidity and mortality in both sexes. Except those vaccinated, virtually all sexually active individuals will be infected with HPV in their lifetime. Although most HPV infections are transient, association with anogenital warts, cervical, penile, and other malignancies have been reported. HPV can be transmitted from one person to another through contact especially during sexual contact including anal, vaginal, or oral. Although HPV infection affects both males and females, its causal association with cervical cancer has made most literature to be mainly on females. In view of its sexual transmissibility and the increasing prevalence of HPV-related malignancies among males worldwide, there is need for more awareness on the infection in males. Most developed countries offer HPV vaccination for girls, but vaccine recommendations for boys are still relatively uncommon especially in developing countries where the burden of HPVrelated malignancies is still very high. The current discourse highlights the need for increased awareness on HPV vaccination among this neglected gender group.

Human Papillomavirus and Its Association With Cervical Cancer: A Review

“…There are three functional coding areas present in the virus. The long control region (LCR), also called the noncoding regulatory region (NCR), sits between the two genes that code for early and late viral functions, respectively [ 6 ].…”

“…Adults can use the vaccine for up to 45 years for missed shots, and it is an essential tool in the fight against cervical cancer. Men can reduce the incidence of HPV-related external genital warts (EGWs) by 90.4% when they receive the vaccine [ 6 , 11 , 16 , 18 ]. Despite this, there is evidence that 85.6% of vaccinated men are protected from HPV infection [ 6 , 11 , 16 , 18 ].…”

“…Men can reduce the incidence of HPV-related external genital warts (EGWs) by 90.4% when they receive the vaccine [ 6 , 11 , 16 , 18 ]. Despite this, there is evidence that 85.6% of vaccinated men are protected from HPV infection [ 6 , 11 , 16 , 18 ]. By activating cellular immunity via dendritic cell (DC) and specific to antigen T-cell activity, therapeutic vaccination aims to remove subclinical HPV-associated disease.…”

Photodynamic Therapy Used to Treat an HIV Patient with an Efflorescence of Viral Warts after HAART Therapy

“…In addition, warts are socially perceived as unpleasant, and they can represent stressful issues for the patient who seeks definitive results in the shortest possible time. The formation of viral warts is one of the consequences of infection from human papillomavirus (HPV), a worldwide-spread virus that can be classified either as high-risk, such as strains 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 66, or low-risk, such as strains 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70, 72, 81, and 89 [ 7 ]. HPV strains 6 and 11 are the most frequently found in genital warts, also known as condyloma acuminate.…”

Buschke-Löwenstein tumour (BLT)/giant condyloma acuminatum (GCA): An immunopathogenesis insight

“…2, 3 Globally, it is estimated that 630 million individuals are infected with HPV, where 30 million genital HPV infections were diagnosed annually. 4 In young adult populations, the cumulative incidence of HPV infected was as high as 40%, with prevalence reaching 75-80%. 5 The highest prevalence and risk of HPV genital infection were found in adolescents, although no significant reduction was found with age progression in Asia and Africa.…”