[Early detection of anal intraepithelial neoplasia in high-risk patients]

Effects of tobacco and vaping on the skin

Cigarette and electronic cigarette use are significant public health concerns across the United States. Tobacco use remains the single most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Electronic cigarettes initially emerged as a better alternative to conventional cigarettes and for promoting smoking cessation; however, current evidence reveals similar deleterious health implications caused by both products on almost all organ systems, including the skin. Recognition of the cutaneous manifestations associated with cigarette and electronic cigarette use is essential for dermatologists in current clinical practice. Dermatologists play a vital role in educating and counseling patients on smoking cessation. We specifically highlight the cutaneous consequences of conventional cigarette smoking and electronic cigarettes on dermatologic disease.

High-risk human papillomavirus infection and associated factors in the anal canal of HIV-positive patients in Medellín, 2017-2018

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) anal infection and associated factors in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients in Medellín.

METHODS

Descriptive cross-sectional study in 300 HIV-positive patients, adults, with history of anal intercourse, treated in two health care services of Medellín 2017–2018. We conducted a structured survey on sociodemographics, sexual behavior and medical history. HPV was detected in anal swabs tested by the COBAS 4800 system. Exploratory data analysis of risk factors associated with HR-HPV was conducted by chi-square test of independence and both raw and adjusted prevalence ratios used the Poisson regression model, at a 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

The high-risk HPV had a prevalence of 82.7%; HPV16 had a prevalence of 32.7%, HPV18 a prevalence of 21.7% and other HPV types scored 78.3%. The high-risk HPV prevalence in women was of 68.2% and 83.8% in men. The risk factors associated with high-risk HPV after adjustment were age under 30 years, elementary education, casual sex partners, and first sexual activity before 18 years old.

CONCLUSIONS

The high incidence of high-risk HPV, along with the occurrence of coinfections by multiple types in the study population shows their susceptibility to develop some type of anal intra-epithelial neoplasia. It is important to establish sexual health programs focused on primary health care.

Preliminary results of a screening program for anal cancer and its precursors for HIV-infected men who have sex with men in Vigo-Spain

BACKGROUND

Men who have sex with men (MSM) infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have the highest risk of developing anal cancer (AC). The objective of this study was to describe our screening implementation program in this population, and report the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) anal infection, and cytological and histological findings in a Spanish medium-size community (Vigo, Spain).

METHOD

Prospective cohort analysis of 240 HIV-infected MSM. Cellular anal sample and high risk HPV (HR-HPV)-tests were performed to study cytological changes and HPV genotyping. High resolution anoscopy (HRA) was performed in 209 patients. Results were analyzed with respect to epidemiological, clinical and analytical factors.

RESULTS

Of 209 patients selected for HRA, the prevalence of HR-HPV anal infection, cytological and histological alterations was 85.6%, 47.5%, and 39.8%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for ≥ ASCUS (atypia of squamous cells of undetermined significance) cytology in relation to histological alterations were 61% and 85%, (OR: 8.7; IC 95%: 4.4-17.2), respectively. Observed concordance between high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) cytology and HSIL anal intraepithelial neoplasia types 2 and 3 (AIN-2/3) histology was 64% (OR: 11.4; IC 95%: 3.6-36.7). One patient with HSIL cytology presented a prevalent anal squamous carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

HRA was feasible with similar results to relevant groups. There was a high prevalence of anal HR-HPV infection, and cytological and histological alterations.

Incidence of Anal Dysplasia in a Population of High-Risk Women: Observations at a Cervical Pathology Unit

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of anal dysplasia in women at high risk of developing those lesions and to assess the relationships between positive anal cytology and different risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed an observational cross-sectional study involving a patient survey and chart review. The study was conducted at the cervical pathology unit at the Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain, from 2011 to 2015. Patients were 215 women aged 18 to 65 years old with risk factors for anal dysplasia, for whom anal evaluation was indicated. Anal cytology was performed in all patients. High-resolution anoscopy and anal biopsy were used to investigate abnormalities. All patients completed a survey regarding sexual practices. The patients' demographic and clinical data were collected by using a retrospective chart review. The main outcome measure was the incidence of anal dysplasia in this population.

RESULTS

Of the 215 patients, 45 (21.0%) presented with cytological abnormalities (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, 13.5%; low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 5.6%; high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 1.9%). Anoscopy was performed in 31 patients (14.4%) and 2 patients (0.9%) had abnormal findings. One case (0.5%) of low-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia was identified. Only immunosuppression (p = .01) and smoking status (p = .02) were significantly correlated with positive anal cytology results. Limitations of the study include the small single-center sample, a lack of controls, the retrospective design, potential survey response biases, and the nonstandardized survey.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of abnormal cytological findings was 21.0%, whereas low-grade anal intraepithelial was confirmed in 0.5% of the patients. There is a higher incidence of cytological abnormalities among immunosuppressed women and smokers.

The prevalence of human papillomavirus infections and associated risk factors in men-who-have-sex-with-men in Cape Town, South Africa

BACKGROUND

We investigated the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and associated behavioural risk factors in men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) attending a clinical service in Cape Town, South Africa.

METHODS

MSM were enrolled at the Ivan Toms Centre for Men's Health in Cape Town. A psychosocial and sexual behavioral risk questionnaire was completed for each participant and urine, oro-pharyngeal and anal swabs were collected for HPV testing using the Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine sexual risk factors associated with HPV infection at the three anatomical sites.

RESULTS

The median age of all 200 participants was 32 years (IQR 26-39.5), of which 31.0 % were black, 31.5 % mixed race/coloured and 35.5 % white. The majority of the participants (73.0 %) had completed high school, 42.0 % had a tertiary level qualification and 69.0 % were employed. HPV genotypes were detected in 72.8 % [95 % CI: 65.9-79.0 %], 11.5 % [95 % CI: 7.4-16.8 %] and 15.3 % [95 % CI: 10.5-21.2 %] of anal, oro-pharyngeal and urine specimens, respectively. Prevalence of high-risk (HR)-HPV types was 57.6 % [95 % CI: 50.3-64.7 %] in anal samples, 7.5 % [95 % CI: 4.3-12.1 %] in oro-pharyngeal samples and 7.9 % [95 % CI: 4.5-12.7 %] in urine, with HPV-16 being the most common HR-HPV type detected at all sites. HPV-6/11/16/18 was detected in 40.3 % [95 % CI: 33.3-47.6 %], 4.5 % [95 % CI: 2.1-8.4 %] and 3.2 % [95 % CI: 1.2-6.8 %] of anal, oro-pharyngeal and urine samples, respectively. Multiple HPV types were more common in the anal canal of MSM while single HPV types constituted the majority of HPV infections in the oropharynx and urine. Among the 88 MSM (44.0 %) that were HIV positive, 91.8 % [95 % CI: 83.8-96.6 %] had an anal HPV infection, 81.2 % [95 % CI: 71.2-88.8 %] had anal HR-HPV and 85.9 % [95 % CI: 76.6-92.5 %] had multiple anal HPV types. Having sex with men only, engaging in group sex in lifetime, living with HIV and practising receptive anal intercourse were the only factors independently associated with having any anal HPV infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Anal HPV infections were common among MSM in Cape Town with the highest HPV burden among HIV co-infected MSM, men who have sex with men only and those that practiced receptive anal intercourse. Behavioural intervention strategies and the possible roll-out of HPV vaccines among all boys are urgently needed to address the high prevalence of HPV and HIV co-infections among MSM in South Africa.

Anogenital malignancies and premalignancies: facts and controversies

Anogenital malignancies and premalignancies are an important personal/public health problem due to their effects on individuals' physical, mental, and sexual health. Also, due to their etiological association with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, anogenital malignancies and premalignancies constitute an immense public health burden. In addition to HPV infection, immunosuppression, HIV infection, chronic dermatoses, such as lichen sclerosis, previous radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments, and smoking, are the other important etiopathologic factors in the development of anogenital malignancies and premalignancies. The incidence of anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has increased considerably in the past decade, mainly due to the growing number of cases in high-risk groups, such as men who have sex with men, immunosuppressed individuals, and patients with HIV infection. Also, an increase in vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) and VIN-related invasive vulvar cancer has been noted in women younger than age 50 years due to its association with HPV infections over the past decade. SCC of the scrotum seems to be the first cancer linked to occupational exposure. Bowen's disease, Bowenoid papulosis, and erythroplasia of Queyrat are the most widely seen premalignancies of anogenital region and are all forms of squamous intraepithelial neoplasia. Histopathologically, these conditions share identical histologic features of SCC in situ, but their clinical features differ. Early diagnosis is vital to improve prognosis, especially in anogenital malignancies. Also, if a delay occurs in diagnosis, treatment options used will be associated with significant negative effects on the patient's psychological well-being and quality of life; hence, management of anogenital malignancies and premalignancies should be organized in a multidisciplinary fashion.