High-risk Oncogenic Human Papilloma Virus Infection of the Foreskin and Microbiology of Smegma in Prepubertal Boys

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence and genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and microbiological status of the foreskin in asymptomatic prepubertal boys.MethodsA total of 100 prepubertal healthy boys who underwent a standard circumcision procedure were included in the study. High-risk HPV status was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction for the genotypes 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68. The swabs were immediately sent to microbiology laboratory for culture and sensitivity tests.ResultsThe median age at the time of surgery was 5.7 years (range, 2 months-9 years). High-risk HPV was detected in 9 foreskins (9%). Positive samples showed are HPV16 (n = 3), 31 (n = 2), 39 (n = 3), and 51 (n = 1). There were a total of 72 organism isolates: 54 gram-positive (75%) and 17 gram-negative (23.6%) bacteria and 1 (1.4%) Candida. The most commonly isolated gram-negative bacterium was Escherichia coli (41.2%), whereas the commonly isolated gram-positive bacterium was Enterecoccus sp. (57.4%).ConclusionOur results showed that subclinical high-risk HPV infections are found in the foreskin, which could be a reservoir for HPV-associated diseases, and smegma seems not to be a risk factor for drug-resistant infection in children.