Systematic Reviews
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2021. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Infect Dis. Nov 5, 2021; 11(3): 38-48
Published online Nov 5, 2021. doi: 10.5495/wjcid.v11.i3.38
Prevalence of anal human papillomavirus infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection: A systematic review
Cinara Dourado Pereira Correia Santos, Caio Caires Brandão, Fernanda Santos Mota, Isis Souza Ferreira, Caline Novais Teixeira Oliveira, Cláudio Lima Souza, Fabrício Freire de Melo, Márcio Vasconcelos Oliveira
Cinara Dourado Pereira Correia Santos, Fernanda Santos Mota, Isis Souza Ferreira, Caline Novais Teixeira Oliveira, Cláudio Lima Souza, Fabrício Freire de Melo, Márcio Vasconcelos Oliveira, Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
Caio Caires Brandão, Medical School, Faculdade Santo Agostinho, Vitória da Conquista 45028-100, Bahia, Brazil
Author contributions: Santos CDPC, Oliveira MV, and Brandão CC designed the research study; Brandão CC, Ferreira IS, and e Mota FS performed the research; Santos CDPC, Oliveira MV, and Brandão CC analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript; all authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Fabrício Freire de Melo, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Professor, Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Hormindo Barros 58 Quadra 17 Lote 58, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil. freiremelo@yahoo.com.br
Received: June 27, 2021
Peer-review started: June 27, 2021
First decision: July 31, 2021
Revised: August 14, 2021
Accepted: October 15, 2021
Article in press: October 15, 2021
Published online: November 5, 2021
Processing time: 127 Days and 10.6 Hours
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
Research background

Sexually transmitted infections are among the most prevalent diseases worldwide, which is considered a public health issue. In immunocompetent individuals, human papillomavirus (HPV) is usually eliminated within 18 mo after infection. However, several studies have been pointing out the relationship between the infection by HIV and HPV, indicating a higher risk of papillomavirus infection in individuals with immune suppression. HPV has also a close relationship with the emergence of cancer in the perianal region, especially in individuals with weakened immune system, such as those who are seropositive for HIV.

Research motivation

In the above-mentioned context, it is essential to compile results of studies evaluating the coinfection with these viruses and demonstrating associated risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of anal changes by HPV. Since HPV is an agent legitimately associated with the occurrence of cancer, in public health management, it is extremely important to recommend a close follow-up of these people, which can change the natural history of HPV disease.

Research objectives

This study aimed to explore the prevalence of anal HPV infection in HIV-seropositive patients as well as to list risk factors associated with this event.

Research methods

For this systematic review, PRISMA recommendation was followed. Articles on the prevalence and risk factors associated with HPV infection in anal and perianal sites in HIV-seropositive patients from January 2010 to April 2020 that were published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish were selected and analyzed.

Research results

Ten articles were selected, and all of them addressed risk factors linked to a higher prevalence of HPV infection in individuals infected with HIV. This study reinforced the understanding that the most important factor for the presence of anal HPV infection is HIV seropositivity.

Research conclusions

The analysis of the articles points to a higher prevalence of anal HPV infection in patients infected with HIV, those with multiple partners, alcohol and drug users, and those with early age of first sexual intercourse with same-sex individuals. Number of partners, absence of condom use, anal intercourse, multiple partners, sexual and life habits and HIV are among the risk factors associated with anal HPV infection.

Research perspectives

We initially expected a greater number of articles, which may indicate the need for further studies on this theme. This review points out associated factors which in many cases can be modified, which has the potential to greatly contribute to reducing the incidence of high-grade lesions and anal cancer.