Study Investigates the Link Between HPV Types and HIV Infection
Background on HPV and HIV
Recent research has focused on determining whether specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV) are linked to HIV infection. It is already known that there is a correlation between sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the prevalence of HIV. Among sexually active adults, HPV stands out as the most common STI globally.
HPV impacts approximately 50% of HIV-negative men who have sex with men and transgender women. Previous studies have established an independent association between HPV infection and HIV infection in men who have sex with men. However, there remains limited knowledge regarding the relationship between individual HPV types and the incidence of HIV infection.
Understanding Coinfection Rates
Individuals living with HIV often experience higher rates of HPV infections. Various studies have explored the coinfection of HIV and HPV, with recent findings suggesting that HPV infection may arise at the time of HIV acquisition. Nonetheless, data on how different HPV types influence HIV infection is scarce.
Recent Study on HPV Types and HIV Incidence
Study Overview
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Riverside aimed to explore the relationship between specific HPV types and HIV infection incidence. The results were published in the journal PLOS One. The focus of the study was on men who have sex with men and transgender women in Lima, Peru—demographics that account for the majority of new HIV infections in Latin America, primarily transmitted through unprotected anal intercourse.
Research indicates that the prevalence of HPV infections is significantly higher among HIV-positive gay men and transgender women compared to their HIV-negative counterparts. One study found that HIV-positive participants were coinfected with twice as many HPV types as those who were HIV-negative.
Study Details
The study involved 600 male participants, with an average age of 25, who self-identified as gay or reported exclusively having sex with men. Participants were recruited from various venues, including bars, clubs, social media, and local community health centers in Lima. They were divided into two groups based on the presence of genital warts and completed a questionnaire regarding sexual behavior. Participants underwent physical examinations that included testing for DNA from 37 HPV types and HIV testing. They were monitored over a two-year period to track new HIV infections.
Study Results
After two years, 571 participants had completed two or more follow-up visits, and 73 of these individuals contracted HIV. The data revealed that a greater proportion of those who contracted HIV had been infected with at least one of the 37 HPV types tested. Additionally, HIV-positive participants were more likely to have multiple HPV types and high-risk HPV compared to those without HIV.
The researchers acknowledged that some participants who did not complete follow-ups may have been HIV-positive, potentially affecting the observed relationship between HPV and HIV infection. Overall, while earlier studies indicated a connection between HPV and HIV coinfection, this study highlighted a significant relationship between specific HPV types and HIV infection.
Conclusions and Implications
The researchers concluded that individuals infected with any HPV type, multiple HPV types, or high-risk HPV are more likely to also be infected with HIV. They emphasized that while the study was conducted in Peru, the findings could be relevant to other countries, including the United States.
As some chronic HPV infections are preventable through vaccination, the study suggests that HPV vaccination may serve as a potential preventative measure against HIV.
References
Brown B, Marg L, Leon S, Chen C, Siu JNY, Calvo G, et al. (2018) The relationship between anogenital HPV types and incident HIV infection among men who have sex with men and transgender women in Lima, Peru: Findings from a prospective cohort study. PLoS ONE 13(10): e0204996. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0204996.
Study links individual HPV types to HIV infection. EurekAlert website https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/uoc–sli100418.php. Accessed October 25, 2018.