Researchers in Austria examined foreskin tissue from 133 males who underwent circumcision and found: 1) Low-risk HPV genotypes were present in 18.8% of samples and high-risk HPV in 9.77% of samples. 2) The presence of HPV, particularly high-risk strains that can cause cancer, suggests vaccinating boys before sexual activity to help prevent transmission through contact. 3) While HPV vaccination of girls is accepted to prevent cervical cancer, this study provides novel evidence that vaccinating boys too could help reduce HPV infection rates in both sexes.

1. EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2011 AT 11:30 A.M.
Contact: Wendy Waldsachs Isett, AUA
410-977-4770, wisett@AUAnet.org
HPV, VIRUS THAT CAUSES CERVICAL CANCER, FOUND PREVALENT IN MALES IN STUDY THAT
SUGGESTS VACCINATIONS FOR BOYS AS WELL AS GIRLS
High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) found in 10 percent of men and boys in study
Washington, DC, May 14, 2011– The male foreskin may be a reservoir for human papillomavirus (HPV),
the virus that can lead to cervical cancer and genital warts, suggesting that boys – in addition to girls –
should consider vaccination to prevent later transfer through sexual contact, according to researchers
from Innsbruck Medical University in Austria. The study will be presented during the 2011 Annual
Meeting of the American Urological Association, and will be presented to the media on Tuesday, May 17
at 11:30 a.m. AUA Spokesperson Kevin McVary, MD will moderate the session for media.
There are many types of HPV, which are classified as either at low- or high-risk of causing diseases, such
as cancer of the cervix and other areas of the body. HPV is one of the most common sexually
transmitted infections.
Researchers in Austria examined anonymized foreskins of 133 males – between seven months and 82
years old without clinical HPV-associated warts – who had undergone radical circumcision for phimosis.
Researchers extracted DNA from 40 tissue sections to assess the prevalence of HPV and found low-risk
HPV genotypes in 18.8 percent of the examined foreskins and high-risk HPV in 9.77 percent. None of the
patients had clinical symptoms of disease.
“While vaccinations in girls for HPV is now accepted medical practice to prevent HPV infection, this
study suggests the novel of idea of vaccinating boys prior to puberty as well,” Dr. McVary said. “The
presence of subclinical HPV in boys and men suggests this may be an effective way to help prevent HPV
transmitted by sexual contact.”
NOTE TO REPORTERS: Experts are available to discuss this study outside normal briefing times. To
arrange an interview with an expert, please contact the AUA Communications Office at the number
above or e-mail Communications@AUAnet.org.
About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the
American Urological Association is the pre-eminent professional organization for urologists, with more than 17,000
members throughout the world. An educational nonprofit organization, the AUA pursues its mission of fostering the
highest standards of urologic care by carrying out a wide variety of programs for members and their patients.
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PREVALENCE OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFECTION OF THE INNER FORESKIN IN MEN WITHOUT
CLINICAL SYMPTOMS
Michael Ladurner Rennau, Alexander Buttazoni, Renate Pichler, Barbara Schlenk, Gerald Klinglmair,
Elisabeth Richter, Helga Fritsch, Bettina Zelger, Josef Oswald, Innsbruck, Austria
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: It has been well established that human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are
the main risk factor for cervical carcinoma in 70 out of 100 cases. We investigated in a prospective study
the epidemiology of HPV and its colonization of the male genital tract and in particular the inner layer of
the foreskin.
METHODS: We examined anonymized foreskins of unselected 133 males aged between 7 months and
82 years without clinical HPV associated warts, who underwent radical circumcision. Indication for
circumcision was phimosis. The presence of viral (HPV) nucleic acid (DNA) sequences in tissues was
demonstrated via in-situ hybridization (ISH) by using labeled DNA probes. DNA extraction of 40 foreskin
tissue sections was done to explore viral nucleic acid of HPV by Real-Time RT-PCR. PCR primers were
used to detect HPV-DNA of low risk types (6, 11) as well as of high risk types (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45,
51, 52, 56, 58, 66). These findings were correlated with in-situ hybridization data of the same tissue
samples.
RESULTS: We found a prevalence of low-risk HPV genotypes in foreskins of 18.8 %, whereas the
prevalence of high-risk HPV genotypes was 9.77 %. Gene expression of both high- and low-risk HPV
genotypes of the same tissue samples correlated significantly with in-situ hybridisation data.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed the occurrence of subclinical genital low and high risk HPV infections
in boys and men which could be a reservoir for HPV-associated diseases. Since it is proven that viral
transfer results from sexual contact it is advisable to vaccinate not only girls but also boys before
adolescence.
Source of Funding: none