Natural history and clinical management of anal human papillomavirus disease in men and women infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Clin Infect Dis. 2002 Nov 1;35(9):1127-34. doi: 10.1086/344057. Epub 2002 Oct 14.

Abstract

Before the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), several studies demonstrated a high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and associated anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) in men who have sex with men, particularly in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men with low CD4+ cell counts. Similarly high levels of anal HPV infection and AIN have been found in HIV-positive women. HIV-positive men and women are at an increased risk of developing anal cancer compared with the general population. Data suggest that there has been no reduction in the incidence of AIN after the introduction of HAART. Screening efforts have the potential to decrease the incidence of invasive anal cancer, and cost-effectiveness analyses have demonstrated the utility of anal cancer screening in select populations. Treatment for AIN remains challenging, but AIN is easier to treat when the lesions are small, and it is likely that a screening program would identify affected individuals at an earlier stage of disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / epidemiology*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / physiopathology
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / prevention & control
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / adverse effects
  • Anus Neoplasms / complications
  • Anus Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Anus Neoplasms / therapy
  • Anus Neoplasms / virology
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Papillomaviridae
  • Papillomavirus Infections / complications
  • Papillomavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Tumor Virus Infections / complications
  • Tumor Virus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Tumor Virus Infections / prevention & control