Anal Human Papillomavirus Infection among MSM Attending University in China: Implications for Vaccination

Abstract

Men who have sex with men (MSM) attending university are a high-risk population for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and are a neglected population of HPV vaccination programs in China. To provide evidence for HPV vaccination policies, we conducted this study to examine the prevalence and factors associated with anal HPV infection among MSM attending university in China. A self-administered online questionnaire was conducted to collect information on social demographics and sexual behaviors. A self-collected rectal swab specimen was collected to test for 37 HPV types. A total of 426 participants were tested for HPV. The median age was 20 years. HPV prevalence was 37.5% for any type, 29.8% for nine-valent vaccine types, 24.6% for four-valent vaccine types, 11.5% for HPV-16/18, and 15.7% for HPV-6/11. Men enrolled in a technical diploma, living in Northern China, having more than two sex partners, being bottom or versatile in anal sex, and having a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing history were more likely to have positive anal HPV of any type. Our study found a high prevalence of anal HPV infection among MSM attending university in China, with HPV vaccine-preventable types being the most popular types in this group. Thus, our findings highlight the urgency of promoting HPV vaccination among teenage MSM.

Human Papillomavirus Detection and Abnormal Anal Cytology in HIV-infected Patients Using p16/Ki-67 Dual-Staining

“…The prevalence of high-risk HPV single infection was 47.8%. Corresponding values for women and for HIV-infected men who have sex with men range from 37.5% (Fan et al, 2020). Among high-risk HPV types, we found HPV 58 to be the most common, followed by HPV 18, HPV 16 and HPV 33.…”

“…Among high-risk HPV types, we found HPV 58 to be the most common, followed by HPV 18, HPV 16 and HPV 33. The most common high-risk HPV types in HIV patients worldwide are HPV 16 followed by HPV 18 (Fan et al, 2020;Nasioutziki et al, 2020). Among Spanish MSM, the most prevalent high-risk HPV was HPV 31 and in China, HPV 58 were the most frequently detected (Torres et al, 2013;Liu et al, 2019).…”

Reinfection of Nine-Valent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Types Among HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…As men appear not to develop immunity to HPV following natural infection, the reinfected HPV type will likely depend on the prevalence of the individual HPV types circulating in the community. Studies have reported that the most common high-risk HPV type among HIV-negative MSM were HPV52, 58, 16, and 18 ( 5 , 6 , 21 – 24 ). Therefore, it is understandable that HPV types 58, 52, and 16 had the highest rates of reinfection in our study.…”

“…Because of their frequent high-risk sexual behaviors, men who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk for anal HPV infection and HPV-related diseases (1-3), while persistent infection might induce precancerous lesions and cancers (4). The estimated prevalence of anal HPV among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative MSM in China was 53.6%, and the most frequently detected HPV genotypes were HPV6, HPV16, HPV11, HPV52, and HPV58 (5)(6)(7). Several prophylactic HPV vaccines have been available since 2006, such as HPV-16/18 bivalent vaccine (Cervarix R , GSK, and Cecolin R , Xiamen Innovax), HPV-6/11/16/18 quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil R , Merck), and HPV-6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 nine-valent vaccine (Gardasil R 9, Merck).…”

Prevalence of and risk factors associated with anal HPV infection among men who have sex with men in Bali, Indonesia

“…Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected MSM are at exceptionally high risk of anal HPV infection and infection with multiple genotypes. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Other risk factors associated with HPV infection are smoking and sexual practices. 7 Until now there is no data available on the prevalence and distribution of HPV genotype in the MSM in Bali province and Indonesia.…”