Circumcision and Acquisition of Human Papillomavirus Infection in Young Men

Study published in Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 22 August 2011,doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e31822e60cb.

Methods: Male university students (aged 18-20 years) were recruited from 2003 to 2009 and followed up triannually. Shaft/scrotum, glans, and urine samples were tested for 37 [alpha] human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes.

Results: In 477 men, rates of acquiring clinically relevant HPV types (high-risk types plus types 6 and 11) did not differ significantly by circumcision status.

Conclusions:Although the likelihood of HPV acquisition did not differ by circumcision status, uncircumcised men were more likely than circumcised men to have infections detected at multiple genital sites, which may have implications for HPV transmission.

Related link:

• Intact News: Circumcision Does Not Prevent HPV Infection, RCT Data 'Inflated,' Study Finds