Prevalence and Determinants of Oral Human Papillomavirus Infection in 500 Young Adults from Italy

Abstract

Although the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is increasing in developed countries and becoming a relevant health issue, the natural history of oral HPV infection is still unclear. Estimating the infection’s prevalence in specific populations and identifying risk factors can widen our understanding of its natural history and help to delineate appropriate prevention strategies. This study sought to (i) determine oral HPV prevalence and genotype distribution in a large series of young Italian adults, (ii) validate an oral rinse sampling/storage protocol, and (iii) pinpoint factors associated with oral HPV infection. Five hundred students, nurses, and technicians (19–35 years-old) studying and working at/for the University of Padua were recruited. Each participant was provided with an oral rinse sampling kit and instructions for use. They were also asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire concerning their demographic characteristics and behaviors. The questionnaires and oral rinse containers were labeled with the same identification code number. The oral rinse samples were tested using a bead-based multiplex BSGP5+/6+-MPG genotyping assay which amplifies the L1 region of 51 mucosal HPV types. The prevalence of oral HPV infection was 4.0% (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.5%-6.1%); those of 14 high-risk HPV types and of HPV-type 16 (HPV16) infection were 2.2% (95% CI, 1.1%-3.9%) and 1.6% (95% CI, 0.6%-3.1%), respectively. HPV16 was the most frequent genotype (40.0% of oral HPV infections). No association was found between oral infection and the co-variables studied (gender, tobacco, alcohol and illegal drug use, number of sex and oral sex partners, HPV vaccination status, history of HPV and sexually transmitted infections, abnormal pap smears, recurrent tonsillitis and tonsillectomy). The oral rinse sampling protocol outlined here proved to be simple, efficient and well tolerated, and the prevalence rate can be considered reliable and thus useful to guide future research. Determinants of oral HPV infection are still unclear and further studies are certainly warranted.

Prevalence and determinants of oral infection by Human Papillomavirus in HIV-infected and uninfected men who have sex with men

“…Our estimates for the prevalence of any HPV among HIV-negative and HIV-positive MSM are 4 to 7-fold higher in comparison with the prevalence observed in young adults recruited in Italy [ 29 ], while they are similar to those found in other comparable cohorts of MSM [ 21 , 27 ]. Moreover, they almost perfectly overlap the pooled prevalence estimated for these individuals by a recent meta-analysis, i.e., 17.1% and 28.9%, respectively [ 30 ].…”

Oral human Papillomavirus DNA detection in HIV-positive men: prevalence, predictors, and co-occurrence at anal site

“…A multivariable regression analysis, adjusting for variables associated with the outcome at univariate analysis with a p < 0.10 and forcing age, was carried out. Data management and analysis were performed using SPSS version 23 [ 28 ].…”

Effect of intervention in increasing knowledge and awareness of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection and HPV vaccination among graduate students in a private university, Kedah state, Malaysia

“…27,28 Based on their socio-demographics characteristics, the maximum participation were among those: aged 18-20 years, with median age of 22(5); Females; Chinese; Pharmacy students; year four study and urban located which was nearly consistent with other studies. [35][36][37][38] Regarding distribution of knowledge score among demographic variables at baseline (pre-test), age, course of study, year of study and location showed statistically significant differences whereas, at posttest, only course of study showed significant differences (p<.01). 39 The results endorse that female respondents had better knowledge at baseline.…”