engleski

Genital human papillomavirus infection among men and women in Croatia

Cervical cancer is an important cause of death from cancer and because the male-genital papillomavirus-associate lesions influence the cervical oncogenesis, we investigated the prevalence of HPV infections among men and women to evaluate the importance of the HPV infections in Croatia. The presence of genital papillomavirus (HPV among men and women in Croatia was investigated from, 1995 to 1998 DNA obtained from 340 cervical and 80 male urethral scrapes was analysed by slot-blot hybridization with digoxigenin tabeled HPV type 6, 11, 16 and 18 DNA probes. The specimens were collected between 1995 and 1998. From 340 women (16-45 years old, a mean value of 29) and 80 men (25 couples) who attended clinic for various reasons. Cytologically the specimens were classified as atypical or as low or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. Clinically the male population showed non-specific urethritis (60%), while 40% were without symptoms. The prevalence of HPV infection was higher in the male population (26, 2%) than in the female population (19, 7%). Low risk HPV (HPV 6, 11), high risk HPV (16, 18) and indeterminate HPV were found in 5, 2%, 6, 9%, and 8, 8% cases, respectively. Over the years, the increase (from 4, 6% to 38, 2%) of HPV infection in female population and (from 6, 7% to 36%) in male population, suggesting an epidemic feature of this sexually transmitted disease. Our results indicate an increase of HPV infection in Croatia. The male population, considered as a reservoir for HPV infections is an important factor in HPV transmission. Therefore prevention of cervical carcinogenesis should include HPV detection and typing in both partners, as well as treatment of the disease. We found a low concordance of specific HPV types in couples. This raises a question of whether HPV is exclusively a sexually transmitted infection or there is some other way of transmission.

human papillomavirus infection; Croatia

nije evidentirano