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The impact of sexual behavior on oral HPV infections in young unvaccinated adults

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Abstract

Objective

Different authors hypothesized an important impact of sexual behavior on the prevalence of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. In order to investigate this relationship more in detail and in contrast to most other studies, the present work focused on the population group with the highest risk for sexually transmitted infections: young and sexual active adults.

Materials and methods

Three hundred and ten men and women aged 18–30 years could be recruited. After the completion of a risk-factor survey, brush smear samples for oral HPV detection were taken in every participant.

Results

In 18.1 %, oral HPV could be detected. Overall, smoking (p = 0.0074) and a high number of different sexual partners (vaginal: p = 0.0001; oral: p < 0.0001) were significantly correlated with a positive HPV testing. In case of high risk HPV infections, besides tobacco and sexual behavior, alcohol consumption showed a significant association with a positive testing (p = 0.0212).

Conclusions

Overall, the prevalence of oral HPV seems to be higher in young, sexual active adults compared to other population groups. Tobacco and alcohol may facilitate an oral HPV infection. Sexual behavior, especially oral sex practices, seems to play a crucial role in the transmission of oral HPV.

Clinical relevance

The presented data, especially the association of oral high risk HPV positivity and promiscuity, may lead to improvements in the existing oral HPV prevention strategies like a HPV vaccination for both genders.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Clinic of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    D. Dalla Torre, M. Rasse & W. Puelacher

  2. University Clinic of Prosthodontics, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    D. Burtscher

  3. University Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    E. Sölder & A. Widschwendter

  4. Jaufenstrasse 5, I-39049, Sterzing, BZ, Italy

    D. Dalla Torre

Authors
  1. D. Dalla Torre
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  2. D. Burtscher
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  3. E. Sölder
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  4. A. Widschwendter
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  5. M. Rasse
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  6. W. Puelacher
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. Dalla Torre.

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Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee of the Medical University of Innsbruck (approved, nr. AN5192 328/4.8) and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Dalla Torre, D., Burtscher, D., Sölder, E. et al. The impact of sexual behavior on oral HPV infections in young unvaccinated adults. Clin Oral Invest 20, 1551–1557 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-015-1633-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-015-1633-y

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