The Prevalence of High Carcinogenic Risk of HPV Genotypes among HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative MSM from Russia

Abstract

Objective. Men who have sex with men (MSM) have a high risk of lifelong anal cancer caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HR HPV) infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anal canal HR HPV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) with and without HIV infection in Moscow (Russia). We evaluated associations of some HIV coinfections (HSV and CMV) and HPV distribution among MSM with and without HIV infection. Methods. Two groups of HIV-positive (n = 60) and HIV-negative (n = 60) MSM were evaluated in the study. Fourteen high-risk (HR) HPV types, HSV1/2, and CMV were investigated in men anal swabs. Results. HR HPVs were found with nearly the same frequency of 66.7% in both groups: HIV-positive and HIV-negative MSM. HIV-positive status was statistically associated with the presence of several (more than two) HPV types ( p = 0.044 ). The most prevalent HR HPV genotypes were HPV18, HPV16, HPV56, and HPV33 for HIV-positive MSM and HPV56, HPV51, HPV66, and HPV16 for HIV-negatives. We found a statistically significant association of five HR HPV types with HIV status of MSM: HPV16 ( p = 0.028 ), HPV18 ( p = 0.00006 ), HPV58 ( p = 0.003 ), HPV33 ( p = 0.019 ), and HPV39 ( p = 0.026 ). The frequency of HSV1 (1.7%) and HSV2 (10%) infections and CMV (3.3%) infection was evaluated in the group of HIV-positive MSM. The frequency of HSV1 (5%) and HSV2 (6.7%) infections and CMV (0%) infection was evaluated, as well, in the group of HIV-negative MSM. Conclusion. Multiple HPV genotypes were detected significantly more often than single HPV genotype in the group of HIV-positive MSM. According to our data, 25% of HIV-positive MSM have HPV39; this is the only one of the five types of HR HPV (16, 18, 58, 33, and 39) associated with this group of MSM that has not yet been included in the HPV vaccines available on the market.

Anal and oropharyngeal HPV distribution in HIV‐negative multipartner MSM using self‐sampling kits for HIV and sexually transmitted infection screening

“…Anal HPV detection was very frequent since more than 80% of the participants had detectable HPV DNA (corresponding to a hrHPV in two of the three cases) in this anatomical site. This prevalence is higher than the prevalence previously documented in HIV‐negative MSM (47%–73%) 7,17–20 . It is, however, in line with data obtained in an HIV‐negative, high‐risk population of MSM taking PrEP 21 .…”

“…This prevalence is higher than the prevalence previously documented in HIV-negative MSM (47%-73%). 7,[17][18][19][20] It is, however, in line with data obtained in an HIV-negative, high-risk population of MSM taking PrEP. 21 Because of the modality of recruitment and inclusion criteria, the studied population is probably not representative of the general population of HIV-negative MSM.…”

“…HPV16 was the most frequently detected type in the anal samples, as observed in previous studies. 5,7,[17][18][19]22 It was followed by HPV51 and 52, also found to be the most prevalent types…”

“…detected in anal samples, after HPV16, in a recent meta-analysis. 23 Finally, detection of multiple types of HPV was also very frequent 17,21 and had to be related to the high sexual exposure with multiple partners. 24 Furthermore, the wide variety of HPV detected at the anal level likely reflects multiple exposures of the participants related to their sexual behavior.…”

Whole-genome analysis and evolutionary characterization of cervical and oral human papillomavirus 16

“…Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world characterized by cervical, oropharyngeal, penile, vulvo-vaginal, and anal cancers. 1 In 2020, cervical cancer (CC) was the fourth most diagnosed cancer in the world and the third most common tumor among females in Pakistan where HPV plays a pivotal role in its development. 2 Likewise, the incidence of oral cancer is more frequent in South-Central Asia (India and Pakistan).…”