Oral HPV prevalence high among men living with HIV across Latin America in ULAQNET baseline

Dr. Hannah Beltrame (Moffitt Cancer Center) presented baseline cross-sectional results from the ULAQNET trial among 700 men living with HIV in Mexico, Brazil and Puerto Rico. Participants were aged 20–50, on antiretroviral therapy, and the trial’s baseline oral-gargle testing for HPV detected infection in 27.8% of participants overall, with Mexico showing a higher prevalence (32.8%). High-risk genotypes were found in 11% of participants and HPV16 was the single most frequent high-risk genotype; investigators reported that 8.7% carried genotypes included in the 9-valent vaccine.

Beltrame said these findings underscore a higher oral-HPV prevalence among men living with HIV compared with the general population (11% vs. 3% high-risk prevalence cited for general populations during the talk) and argued the data "support the use of this vaccine" beyond current age-limited recommendations. She emphasized that baseline prevalence and genotype distribution will inform ongoing vaccine-efficacy and policy discussions.

Study procedures included SPF10 PCR genotyping, exclusion of prior HPV-related cancer and prior vaccination, and ethical approvals and informed consent across participating sites. Presenters noted some baseline differences across countries (e.g., median CD4 counts). The trial team said longitudinal follow-up and efficacy analysis are forthcoming.