Sex Transm Dis. 2021 Jul 17. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001516. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Studies in women have shown an increased risk of HIV acquisition with prior HPV infection; however, few studies have been conducted among men. Our objective was to assess whether HPV-related external genital lesions (EGLs) increase risk of HIV seroconversion among men.
METHODS: A total of 1379 HIV-negative men aged 18-70 years from the US, Mexico, and Brazil were followed for up to seven years and underwent clinical examination for EGLs and blood draws every six-months. HIV seroconversion was assessed in archived serum. Cox proportional hazards and marginal structural models assessed the association between EGL status and time to HIV seroconversion.
RESULTS: 29 participants HIV seroconverted during follow-up. Older age was associated with a lower hazard of HIV seroconversion. We found no significant difference in the risk of HIV seroconversion between men with and without EGLs (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.94, 95%CI 0.32-2.74). Stratified analyses focusing on men that have sex with men found no association between EGLs and HIV seroconversion risk (HR = 0.63, 95%CI 0.00-1.86).
CONCLUSION: EGLs were not associated with higher risk for HIV seroconversion in this multinational population, although statistical power was limited as there were few HIV seroconversions. Results may differ in populations at higher risk for HIV.
PMID:34282740 | DOI:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001516
