Oncogenic human papillomavirus and anal microbiota in men who have sex with men and are living with HIV in Northern Taiwan
2024

HPV and Anal Microbiota in HIV-Positive Men

Sample size: 291 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Cheng Shu-Hsing, Yang Yu-Chen, Chen Cheng-Pin, Hsieh Hui-Ting, Lin Yi-Chun, Cheng Chien-Yu, Liao Kuo-Sheng, Chu Fang-Yeh, Liu Yun-Ru

Primary Institution: Taoyuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taoyuan, Taiwan

Hypothesis

What is the relationship between HIV, anal HPV, and anal microbiota in men who have sex with men?

Conclusion

Men living with HIV and low CD4+ T cell counts have lower bacterial diversity and higher levels of certain bacteria associated with HPV.

Supporting Evidence

  • 199 out of 291 samples had detectable oncogenic HPVs.
  • 68 samples were positive for HPV type 16/18.
  • Participants with CD4+ T cell counts <500 cells/μL showed diminished bacterial diversity.

Takeaway

This study found that men with HIV have different bacteria in their anal area, which might affect their risk of HPV and related health issues.

Methodology

HPV genotyping and 16S rRNA sequencing were performed on anal samples from participants.

Potential Biases

Participants were from a single urban hospital, which may not represent broader populations.

Limitations

The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and findings may not be generalizable to all populations.

Participant Demographics

The cohort primarily consisted of men who have sex with men living with HIV.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.00001

Confidence Interval

95% CI 1.11–1.84

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0304045

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