Petra J Woestenberg1, Birgit H B van Benthem2, Johannes A Bogaards3, Audrey J King2, Fiona R M van der Klis2, Hella Pasmans4, Suzan Leussink2, Marianne A B van der Sande5, Christian J P A Hoebe6. 1. Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), 3720 BA Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: petra.woestenberg@rivm.nl. 2. Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), 3720 BA Bilthoven, the Netherlands. 3. Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), 3720 BA Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1007 MB Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 4. Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), 3720 BA Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands. 5. Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; Julius Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA, Utrecht, the Netherlands. 6. Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environment, South Limburg Public Health Service, 6411 TE Heerlen, the Netherlands.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In 2009, girls-only HPV16/18 vaccination was introduced in the Netherlands which has achieved 46-61% uptake. Heterosexual men have benefitted from herd protection, but it is unknown whether men who have sex with men (MSM) also benefit from herd effects of the girls-only HPV16/18 vaccination program. Because MSM bear a high HPV-related disease burden, countries might consider targeted vaccination for MSM. To study possible herd effects and prior HPV exposure at a potential moment of vaccination, we assessed trends in the HPV prevalence and proportions (sero)negative for the various vaccine types among young MSM visiting sexual health centers (SHCs). METHODS: We used data from MSM included in PASSYON study years 2009-2017. In this biennial cross-sectional study among visitors of SHCs aged 16-24 years, MSM provided a penile and anal swab for HPV DNA testing (including vaccine types HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58) and blood for HPV antibody testing (HPV16/18/31/33/45/52/58). RESULTS: In total 575 MSM were included, with a median of 22 years of age and 15 lifetime sex partners and 3.5% HIV positive. Trends in penile or anal HPV prevalence during 2009-2017 were statistically non-significant for all vaccine types. Of the 455 MSM with a penile and anal swab, 360 (79%), 283 (62%) and 242 (53%) were HPV DNA negative at both anatomical sites for HPV16/18, HPV6/11/16/18 and HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 respectively. Among MSM who were HPV16/18 and HPV16/18/31/33/45/52/58 DNA negative and were tested for serology (n = 335 and 279 respectively), 82% and 71% were also seronegative for the respective types. DISCUSSION: There were no significant declines in the HPV prevalence among MSM up to eight years after introduction of girls-only HPV16/18 vaccination, indicating that MSM are unlikely to benefit largely from herd effects from girls-only vaccination. Most MSM were vaccine-type DNA negative and seronegative, suggesting that vaccination of young MSM visiting SHCs could still be beneficial.
INTRODUCTION: In 2009, girls-only HPV16/18 vaccination was introduced in the Netherlands which has achieved 46-61% uptake. Heterosexual men have benefitted from herd protection, but it is unknown whether men who have sex with men (MSM) also benefit from herd effects of the girls-only HPV16/18 vaccination program. Because MSM bear a high HPV-related disease burden, countries might consider targeted vaccination for MSM. To study possible herd effects and prior HPV exposure at a potential moment of vaccination, we assessed trends in the HPV prevalence and proportions (sero)negative for the various vaccine types among young MSM visiting sexual health centers (SHCs). METHODS: We used data from MSM included in PASSYON study years 2009-2017. In this biennial cross-sectional study among visitors of SHCs aged 16-24 years, MSM provided a penile and anal swab for HPV DNA testing (including vaccine types HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58) and blood for HPV antibody testing (HPV16/18/31/33/45/52/58). RESULTS: In total 575 MSM were included, with a median of 22 years of age and 15 lifetime sex partners and 3.5% HIV positive. Trends in penile or anal HPV prevalence during 2009-2017 were statistically non-significant for all vaccine types. Of the 455 MSM with a penile and anal swab, 360 (79%), 283 (62%) and 242 (53%) were HPV DNA negative at both anatomical sites for HPV16/18, HPV6/11/16/18 and HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 respectively. Among MSM who were HPV16/18 and HPV16/18/31/33/45/52/58 DNA negative and were tested for serology (n = 335 and 279 respectively), 82% and 71% were also seronegative for the respective types. DISCUSSION: There were no significant declines in the HPV prevalence among MSM up to eight years after introduction of girls-only HPV16/18 vaccination, indicating that MSM are unlikely to benefit largely from herd effects from girls-only vaccination. Most MSM were vaccine-type DNA negative and seronegative, suggesting that vaccination of young MSM visiting SHCs could still be beneficial.
Authors: Rachel L Winer; John Lin; Troy D Querec; Elizabeth R Unger; Joshua E Stern; Jessica M Rudd; Matthew R Golden; Fred Swanson; Lauri E Markowitz; Elissa Meites Journal: J Infect Dis Date: 2022-02-01 Impact factor: 5.226
Authors: Joske Hoes; Petra J Woestenberg; Johannes A Bogaards; Audrey J King; Hester E de Melker; Johannes Berkhof; Christian J P A Hoebe; Marianne A B van der Sande; Birgit H B van Benthem Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2021-03-01 Impact factor: 9.079