ESSM Newsletter # 37

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11 ESSMToday
Key from Kols: Human papillomavirus infection in males:
The time is now!
In 2013 the Australian government extended the
program to include 12- to 13-year-old males,
including a 2-year catch-up vaccination program
for those ages 14 to 15 years. About 70% have
received all three doses for boys, with a high
compliance about the vaccination program. Con-
sequently, Australian researchers were among
the first to report reductions in the prevalence
of vaccine-type HPV infections, by 76-86% in
18- to 24-year-olds. The advantage for males
and females is clearly demonstrated.
Some issues should be improved:
■ the ideal age for vaccination
■ the dosing
■ the type of vaccine
Administration of vaccines is ideally done prior
to sexual debut for both males and females for
the greatest impact. However, several experi-
ence demonstrated that the advantage of HPV
vaccination in males are high even if performed
after the first sexual debut. Moreover, the herd
and cross-protection contribute further to the
impact of the vaccines.
The vaccine should be offered to:
■ young boys before first sexual intercourse
■ males with genital warts after ablation
■ males who are partner of HPV positive
women
■ males with high risk sexual behaviour
Finally, males vaccination has the advantage
of reducing the risk of HPV transmission to
sexual partners, lowering the infectious
pool of HPV in the general population and
ultimately HPV-related diseases for both
genders. Moreover, it is worthwhile that all
countries consider and promote national
guidelines and programs to prevent HPV-
related diseases.
References
Bartoletti R, Cai T, Meliani E et al (2014) Hu-
man papillomavirus infection is not related
with prostatitis-related symptoms: results
from a case–control study. Int Braz J Urol
40(2):247–256
Cai T, Wagenlehner FM, Mondaini N, D'Elia C,
Meacci F, Migno S, Malossini G, Mazzoli S,
Bartoletti R. Effect of human papillomavirus
and Chlamydia trachomatis co-infection on
sperm quality in young heterosexual men
with chronic prostatitis-related symptoms.
BJU Int. 2014 Feb;113(2):281-7.
Forman D, de Martel C, Lacey CJ et al (2012)
Global burden of human papillomavirus
and related diseases. Vaccine 30 (Suppl 5):
F12–F23.
Giuliano AR, Lee JH, Fulp W et al (2011) Inci-
dence and clearance of genital human papil-
lomavirus infection in men (HIM): A cohort
study. Lancet 377(9769):932–94
Kjaer SK, Munk C, Winther JF, Jørgensen HO,
Meijer CJ, van den Brule AJ (2005) Acquisition
and persistence of human papilloma-virus
infection in younger men: a prospective fol-
low-up study among Danish soldiers. Cancer
Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 14(6):1528–1533.
Lai-yang L, SM. Garland. Human papillomavi-
rus vaccination: the population impact. F1000
Faculty Rev:866 Last updated: 12 JUN 2017.
21st World Meeting of the
International Society for Sexual Medicine
20th Congress of the
European Society for Sexual Medicine
Jointly organized by:
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