Oral HPV among men who have sex with men living with HIV study

Detection of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) in 173 HIV-positive MSM using oral rinse samples 3 years apart was investigated.

Of 173 men tested in 2010, 17% had at least one HPV type, 9% had at least one high risk HPV type, and 5% had HPV 16 detected. In 2013, 19% had at least one HPV type, 12% had at least one high risk HPV type and 4% had HPV 16 detected. Of 30 men at baseline (2010) with any HPV detected, 47% had at least one persistent type in 2013. Of the 15 men in 2010 with high risk HPV, 40% had at least one persistent high risk HPV type 3 years later. In HIV-positive MSM, 43% had at least one of the same HPV types and 40% of men had a least one high-risk HPV type detected again three years later. The same oral HPV type was detected again after 3 years in nearly half of HIV-positive men who have sex with men.

Persistence of oral HPV in HIV-positive MSM may explain why there is a higher rate of mouth and throat cancer. Persistence of oral HPV in HIV-positive MSM may explain why there is a higher rate of mouth and throat cancer.