Pearly penile papules: still no reason for uneasiness.
BACKGROUND
Penile lesions and pearly penile papules (PPP) are frequently found in male sexual partners of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The former have been associated with human papillomavirus (HPV).


OBJECTIVE
We estimated the prevalence of PPP in male sexual partners of women with CIN, and investigated the association between PPP and flat and papular penile lesions found in these men. We further evaluated a possible association between PPP and HPV, age, and CIN grade of the female partner.


METHODS
We evaluated by penoscopy the presence of HPV-associated penile lesions and PPP in 226 male sexual partners of women with CIN. HPV was tested by polymerase chain reaction-enzyme immunoassay and in situ hybridization.


RESULTS
The prevalence of PPP was 34% and was not associated with the presence of penile lesions or a positive HPV test. Age and CIN grade of the female partner were not related to the presence of PPP.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of PPP in male sexual partners of women with CIN is comparable with the prevalence described in men of more diverse populations. Our data do not support a causative role for HPV in the genesis of PPP.
Hogewoning
Cornelis J A
CJ
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, The Netherlands.
Bleeker
Maaike C G
MC
van den Brule
Adriaan J C
AJ
Voorhorst
Feja J
FJ
van Andel
Rick E
RE
Risse
Elle K
EK
Starink
Theo M
TM
Meijer
Chris J L M
CJ
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010409:Penile Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000821:virology; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000821:virology