Anal HPV prevalence in individuals with and without other concomitant sexually transmitted infections

Abstract

The association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in anal lesions still remains unclear. Aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of simultaneous infection of HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Trichomonas vaginalis in individuals screened for HPV anal infection. A total of 507 anal samples were tested for both anal HPV and STIs: 16% resulted positive for one or more non-HPV STIs. Specifically, C. trachomatis, M. genitalium, and N. gonorrhoeae were detected in 8%, 5%, and 4% of cases, respectively. Two groups were considered, including a positive STI group and a negative STI group. The prevalence of HPV was similar in patients in both groups: high risk (HR)-HPV and low risk (LR)-HPV were 67% and 53% versus 62% (p = 0.361) and 54% (p = 0.864) of patients, respectively. However, HPV 16, 18, 35, 51, 59, and 69 were significantly more frequent in patients tested positive for other STIs versus HPV infection alone (p < 0.05). No significant differences between the two groups were observed in vaccination coverage, 28% versus 32% (p = 0.463), and HIV status, 86% versus 84% (p = 0.658). The study shows that the overall HPV status is not directly correlated to other STIs in the investigated population, except for certain HPV types, including HR-HPV 16, reinforcing the urge for a greater vaccination coverage.