HIV/AIDS is the world's leading infectious killer. Despite substantial research, the worldwide burden of HIVremains high. In 2013, over 2 million persons were newly infected and more than 35 million people were livingwith HIV. New global HIV prevention efforts that are readily available and affordable are needed. A growingliterature suggests that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection may increase risk of HIV. The seven longitudinalstudies conducted among women and men consistently demonstrate increased risk of HIV with prioranogenital HPV infection. However, unlike other STIs, HPV can be effectively prevented with vaccination. Fewlow-middle income countries (LMIC), where the HIV burden is highest, are vaccinating girls, and none includemales in national programs. Only three countries currently recommend gender neutral HPV vaccination. Weneed more studies evaluating the association between HPV and HIV and whether HPV infection at multipleanatomic sites (genitals, anal canal, and oral cavity) and associated anogenital lesions increase HIV risk. Inorder to fill this knowledge gap, we propose to assess whether HPV infection is associated with HIVseroconversion among men in The HPV infection in Men (HIM) Study, a multinational, prospective male HPVnatural history study.
We aim to (1) Complete HPV genotyping of genital, anal, oral specimens among 1473 menwho contributed study visits beyond year 4 of follow-up (up to 7 years of follow-up); (2) Evaluate the associationbetween HPV infection at three anatomic sites and risk of HIV; and (3) Examine whether the associationbetween HPV infection and HIV seroconversion is modified by infection with other STIs. The proposedresearch is innovative; as it is the first to assess HIV risk following HPV infection at three anatomic sites.
The research aims are feasible given the existing HPV and HIV data. Results from this study may help inform futureHIV prevention research and policies.
The disease burden of HIV is increasing worldwide despite primary prevention efforts. A handful of studieshave shown that HPV infections increase the risk for HIV; but more evidence is needed. We will evaluate if anHPV infection at any of three different anatomic sites (anal; genital; and oral) increases the risk of HIV in men.Results from this study will inform future HIV prevention research and policies.
