title: The impact of sexual behavior on oral HPV infections in young unvaccinated adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Different authors hypothesized an important impact of sexual behavior on the prevalence of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. In order to investigate this relationship more in detail and in contrast to most other studies, the present work focused on the population group with the highest risk for sexually transmitted infections: young and sexual active adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred and ten men and women aged 18-30 years could be recruited. After the completion of a risk-factor survey, brush smear samples for oral HPV detection were taken in every participant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 18.1 %, oral HPV could be detected. Overall, smoking (p = 0.0074) and a high number of different sexual partners (vaginal: p = 0.0001; oral: p < 0.0001) were significantly correlated with a positive HPV testing. In case of high risk HPV infections, besides tobacco and sexual behavior, alcohol consumption showed a significant association with a positive testing (p = 0.0212).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the prevalence of oral HPV seems to be higher in young, sexual active adults compared to other population groups. Tobacco and alcohol may facilitate an oral HPV infection. Sexual behavior, especially oral sex practices, seems to play a crucial role in the transmission of oral HPV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presented data, especially the association of oral high risk HPV positivity and promiscuity, may lead to improvements in the existing oral HPV prevention strategies like a HPV vaccination for both genders.
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. dr.dalla-torre@gmx.at.|, Jaufenstrasse 5, I-39049, Sterzing, BZ, Italy. dr.dalla-torre@gmx.at.
authors.forename: D
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8340-3777
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dalla Torre
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Prosthodontics, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burtscher
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sölder
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Widschwendter
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rasse
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Puelacher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Human papillomavirus; Oral HPV; Oral infection; Oral sex; Prevalence; Young adults