Penile human papillomavirus carriage among men attending Swedish STD clinics.
Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, we found that up to 84% of 228 men consecutively attending two Swedish STD clinics harboured human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 or 16. Mean age of the patients was 28 years (range 17-58); 70% were between 17 and 30 years old. Among men without a previous history of, or contact with, condylomata the frequency of HPV 6 detection was 76% using the PCR/dot blot (DB) analysis and 43% with the PCR/agarose gel (AG) technique. The corresponding figures for HPV 16 were 46% and 13%, respectively. These figures were comparable to those found in men with existing condylomata infection or sexual exposure to a partner with condylomata. Although the test group represents a selected high-risk population for STD including HPV, our results indicate that a high frequency of occult HPV carriage exists among sexually-active males. The significance of these findings is discussed.
Wikström
A
A
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Lidbrink
P
P
Johansson
B
B
von Krogh
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003151:Community Health Centers; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology