Diversity of beta-papillomavirus at anogenital and oral anatomic sites of men: The HIM Study

- We described β-HPV in oral cavity of HIM cohort participants.
- β-HPV detection at anal canal and oral cavity associated with country and age.
- Current smokers were less likely to have β-HPV at the oral cavity than never smokers.
- β-HPV detection lacks associations with men sexual behavior.

Our goal was to describe prevalence of β-HPVs at three anatomic sites among 717 men from Brazil, Mexico and US enrolled in the HPV Infection in Men (HIM) Study. β-HPVs were genotyped using Luminex technology. Overall, 77.7%, 54.3% and 29.3% men were positive for any β-HPV at the genitals, anal canal, and oral cavity, respectively. Men from US and Brazil were significantly less likely to have β-HPV at the anal canal than men from Mexico. Older men were more likely to have β-HPV at the anal canal compared to younger men. Prevalence of β-HPV at the oral cavity was significantly associated with country of origin and age. Current smokers were significantly less likely to have β-HPV in the oral cavity than men who never smoked. Lack of associations between β-HPV and sexual behaviors may suggest other routes of contact such as autoinoculation which need to be explored further.