Oral human papillomavirus infection in men who have sex with men with anal squamous intraepithelial lesions

Background Little is known about the association between oral and anogenital human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Methods Oral and anal samples from 66 men who have sex with men with a history of HPV-related anogenital squamous intraepithelial lesions were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and typed for 38 HPV types. Results Prevalence of oral HPV infection was 30%, versus 82% for anal infection. Prevalence of oral and anal high-risk HPV infection was 11% and 64%, respectively. Concurrent oral-anal any-type HPV infection was found in 26% of participants, whereas concordant type-specific HPV prevalence was 5%. In multivariate analysis, number of partners from whom the participant received oral-penile sex and number of partners on whom the participant performed oral-penile sex were associated with oral HPV infection. Conclusion Oral HPV prevalence in this cohort is high, however, concordant type-specific oral-anal HPV infection was rare. Increased risk of oral HPV infection was associated with oral-penile sex.