Incidence and persistent infection rates of type-specific HPV among HIV-infected males in China: a 5-year retrospective study

TL;DR

This study shows that HIV-positive males in China have higher HPV infection rates and longer persistence of HPV compared to HIV-negative males, emphasizing the need for HPV vaccination.

Contribution

The study provides new data on HPV incidence and persistence in HIV-infected males in China, highlighting the importance of vaccination in this population.

Findings

HIV-positive males had significantly higher incidence of 9v-HPV-covered high-risk HPV infections compared to HIV-negative males.

HPV persistence was significantly prolonged in HIV-positive patients compared to HIV-negative patients.

HIV increased the risk of specific HPV types and reduced their clearance rates in males.

Abstract

Although the 9-valent HPV vaccine (9v-HPV) has been approved for males in China, it has received limited public attention. This study aimed to explore the incidence and persistence of different HPV types in HIV-related males and emphasize the importance of vaccination.

A cohort of 758 male patients with multiple HPV detection (≥3) from 2018 to 2023 in our hospital were enrolled for statistical analysis, including 113 Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) patients. HIV and HPV infection statuses were confirmed respectively by ELISA, PCR, WB and nucleic acid kit.

Statistical analysis revealed that the incidence of 9v-HPV-covered high-risk (HR) HPV infections were 68.1% (HIV+ total males), 43.2% (HIV− total males), 67.6% (HIV+ MSM) and 42.2% (HIV− MSM). HPV persistence was significantly prolonged in HIV+ patients than HIV− cases (p < 0.001). Markov model demonstrated that HIV increased incidence risks of HPV52, 58, 45, 35, 39, 51, 59, 68, 66, 73, 82, 81 and reduced the clearance rates of HPV16, 18, 6, 11, 58, 33, 31, 56 in males.

These findings highlight the increased burden of HPV infection among HIV+ individuals. Timely vaccination will benefit males by preventing HPV infection and consequently reducing the associated disease burden.

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