Male circumcision reduces penile high-risk human papillomavirus viral load in a randomised clinical trial in Rakai, Uganda

Lauren E. Wilson, Patti Gravitt, Aaron A.R. Tobian, Godfrey Kigozi, David Serwadda, Fred Nalugoda, Stephen Watya, Maria J. Wawer, Ronald H. Gray

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: Male circumcision reduces penile high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) prevalence in randomised trials. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of circumcision on HPV viral load among HPV-infected men in a randomised trial of male circumcision. Methods: In a randomised trial to assess the efficacy of circumcision on HIV acquisition in Rakai, Uganda, HIV-negative men were randomised to immediate (intervention) or delayed (control) circumcision and followed over 24 months. We performed quantitative-PCR HPV viral load assays on penile swabs which tested positive by Linear Array (LA) for six HR-HPV genotypes and estimated viral load in the remaining types by LA signal strength. Results: At 24 months, circumcision intervention arm men infected with one of the six selected HR-HPV genotypes had a lower viral load and significantly reduced HR-HPV high LA band intensity (PRR=0.61, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.86) compared to infected men in the control arm of the trial. The decreased viral load associated with circumcision was seen among HPV infections acquired after enrolment but not among infections that persisted from trial enrolment to 24 months ( p=0.80). Conclusions: The decreased penile HR-HPV shedding observed among HPV-infected circumcised men may help to explain the protective association observed between circumcision and reduced acquisition of HR-HPV in female partners.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)262-266
Number of pages5
JournalSexually transmitted infections
Volume89
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases

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