No evidence for a protective effect of naturally induced HPV antibodies on subsequent anogenital HPV infection in HIV-negative and HIV-infected MSM

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether HPV serum antibodies detected after natural infection protect against subsequent anal or penile infection with the same HPV type in HIV-negative and HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM).

METHODS: MSM aged ≥18 years were recruited in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (2010-2011), and followed-up semi-annually. Antibodies against 7 high-risk HPV types in baseline serum samples were tested using a multiplex immunoassay; baseline, 6-, and 12-month anal and penile samples were tested for HPV DNA and genotyped using the SPF10-PCR DEIA/LiPA25 system (version 1). Statistical analyses were performed using the Wei-Lin-Weissfeld method.

RESULTS: 719 MSM (median age 40 years; IQR 35-48) with baseline and follow-up data were included in these analyses; 287 (40%) were HIV-infected. HPV seropositivity at baseline was not significantly associated with subsequent type-specific HPV infection at 6 or 12 months in multivariable analyses (for anal infection adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.2; 95% CI 0.9-1.6; for penile infection aHR 0.8; 95% CI 0.6-1.2). High antibody concentrations showed no protective effect against subsequent infection either.

CONCLUSIONS: In a population of highly sexually active, adult MSM, naturally induced HPV antibodies may not protect MSM against subsequent anal or penile HPV infection within one year.