Anal HR-HPV prevalence assessed with the cobas® HPV Test in an HIV-infected population of men who have sex with men

ABSTRACT Background Anal squamous cell cancer is an HPV associated disease, highly prevalent in HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM). We evaluate the prevalence of HPV infection in an HIV-positive MSM population attending our hospital. Cytological results are correlated with an HR-HPV genotype. Methods From February 2013 to July 2014, 95 anal Thin Prep cytologies and 17 histological specimens were evaluated in 89 HIV-infected MSM. HPV detection (cobas ® HPV Test) was done in 78 patients. Patients with a positive cytological result were biopsied according to the recommendations of the European Society for Medical Oncology Clinical Practical Guidelines. The STATVIEW statistical computer program was used. Results The mean age was 37 years. Cytological results: 40% - NILM, 17.9% - ASCUS, 24.2% - LSIL, 4.2% - HSIL and 1.1% - AGC. The overall prevalence of HR-HPV was of 80.8%. In 76.9% of the cases, infection occurred with multiple HR-HPV genotypes. The “other” HR-HPV pattern was the most prevalent HR-HPV genotype. Considering age, HPV-16 prevalence was 50.0% and 28.6% in patients under and over 30 years, respectively. A histological specimen was obtained from 17 patients and 82.4% of them had AIN. Conclusion 1 - HIV-infected MSM is a highly HR-HPV genotype infected population; 2 - The multiple infection pattern was the most prevalent; 3 - “Other”, an HPV subtype was the most prevalent pattern; 4 - The prevalence of HPV infection and multiplicity of infection was directly related to the severity of the cytological abnormalities and age; 5 - HPV-16 prevalence was more prevalent in patients under 30 years.