Tuesday, March 22, 2011

High prevelance of anal pre-cancerous lesions in men with HIV

Via Aidsmap, by Michael Carter



Prevalence and incidence of high-grade pre-cancerous anal lesions in HIV-positive men who are taking antiretroviral therapy are high, Canadian investigators report in the online edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases. A low nadir CD4 cell count and infection with HPV types 16 and 18 were associated with an increased risk of developing high-grade pre-cancerous anal lesions (AIN-2, 3). The investigators hope that their findings will help identify patients who have a higher risk of HPV-associated anal disease.

Rates of HIV-related opportunistic infections have fallen significantly since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy.

However, the incidence of anal cancer is increasing.

Most of the information about the risk factors for this disease in HIV-positive gay men was obtained during the era before effective antiretroviral therapy became available. These include high-grade pre-cancerous lesions, infection with HPV 16 and 18, multiple HPV infections and CD4 cell count.

Investigators from the Canadian Human Immunodeficiency and Papilloma Virus Research Group (HIPVIRG) wanted to establish a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors for progression to AIN 2 and 3. They also wished to see if treatment with anti-HIV drugs had any impact on disease progression.

A total of 247 men who were taking or about to initiate antiretroviral therapy were recruited to the study between 2002 and 2005. The patients had swabs to see if they had anal HPV infection, and if present further tests were conducted to determine whether strains associated with anal cancer were present.

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[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]

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