ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Esperienze Dermatologiche 2014 December;16(4):189-95

Copyright © 2015 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Human papillomavirus and anal carcinoma: evidence for screening subjects at risk

Donà M. G. ¹, Latini A. ¹, Benevolo M. ², Giglio A. ³, Moretto D. ³, Colafigli M. ¹, Frasca M. ¹, Ambrifi M. ¹, Cristaudo A. ¹, Giuliani M. ¹

¹ UOC Dermatologia Infettiva e Allergologica, Istituto Dermatologico San Gallicano, Roma, Italia; ² UOC Anatomia Patologica e Citodiagnostica, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena, Roma, Italia; ³ UOC Patologia Clinica e Microbiologia, Istituto Dermatologico San Gallicano, Roma, Italia

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous benign and malignant lesions of the cutaneous and mucosal epithelia. Many studies have ascertained the association between the onset of squamous cell carcinomas and infection from high risk HPV genotypes. These, in particular, are involved in the development of anogenital tumours (cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, penis). HPV infections are common among patients at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) that express a higher prevalence of HPV infection, both at anogenital and oral level, and could therefore concentrate a higher risk of neoplasia in these areas. Anal carcinoma, in particular, has become very frequent among homosexuals (MSM), above all those infected with HIV-1, so much to consider it appropriate to have screening programmes targeted at these populations. The results of a research project targeted at screening HPV-associated anal squamous intraepithelial lesions in males at risk, with and without HIV-1 infection, have been presented and discussed. The characteristics of anal infection in these individuals are also described.