Anal cytological abnormalities in HIV-infected homosexual men.
This study aimed to examine the prevalence of anal cytological abnormalities in groups of HIV-infected and non-infected homosexual men, and to monitor changes with time. Dyskaryosis suggestive of anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) was noted in 24 (30%) of the 80 satisfactory anal smears from 66 HIV-seropositive homosexual men; such changes were found in only 7 (4.7%) of the 149 satisfactory smears from 181 HIV-seronegative homosexual men (P < 0.005), and in none of 34 satisfactory preparations from 51 HIV-seronegative heterosexual men. In the follow-up of 20 HIV-seropositive men, the severity of the cytological abnormalities found in 2 men increased, with the most recent smear showing changes suggestive of AIN III; one of these men subsequently developed anal cancer. Smears from 4 men showed apparent regression in the degree of dyskaryosis. Although the numbers of patients studied were small, there appeared to be a trend towards a more severe degree of dyskaryosis in those men with increasing immunodeficiency. There was no significant difference in the detection of human papillomavirus types 6b, 11, 16 and 18 between HIV-infected and non-infected men.
Sayers
S J
SJ
Department of Medicine, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, UK.
McMillan
A
A
McGoogan
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000473:pathology*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged