Cutaneous human papillomayirus types detected on the surface of male external genital lesions: A case series within the HPV Infection in Men Study

Abstract

Background: Cutaneous human papillomaviruses (HPVs) may be associated with cutaneous epithelial lesions and non-melanoma skin cancers. No study has systematically evaluated the presence of genus beta []-HPV in male genital skin or external genital lesions (EGLs) Objectives: To examine cutaneous beta-HPV types detected on the surface of EGLs in men and describe their presence prior to EGL development. Study design: A retrospective case series was conducted among 69 men with pathologically confirmed EGLs (n=72) who participated in the HPV Infection in Men Study. Archived exfoliated cells collected from the surface of each EGL and normal genital skin specimens 6-12 months preceding EGL development were tested for beta-HPV DNA using a type-specific multiplex genotyping assay. Results: beta-HPV DNA was detected on 61.1% of all EGLs, with types 38(16.7%), 5(15.3%), and 12(12.5%) most commonly identified. HPV prevalence differed across pathological diagnoses, with the largest number of beta-HPV types detected on condylomas. Most beta-HPV types were detected on normal genital skin prior to EGL development, though the prevalence was lower on EGLs compared to preceding normal genital skin. Conclusions: EGLs and the normal genital skin of men harbor a large number of beta-HPV types; however, it appears that beta-HPVs are unrelated to EGL development in men. Despite evidence to support a causal role in skin carcinogenesis at UVR-exposed sites, cutaneous HPV appears unlikely to cause disease at the UVR-unexposed genitals.