Oral human papillomavirus infection and genotyping in a cohort of people living with HIV

This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of oral HPV infection and the risk indicators for oral HPV carriage in people living with HIV. Data on socio-demographics, sexual behavioral practices, and lifestyle practices of the participants were collected from 66 people living with HIV. The HIV parameters of each study participant were obtained from clinical records. Oral rinses obtained from each participant were subjected to HPV ELISA antigen test for screening and extracted DNA was subjected to nested PCR and whole-genome sequencing for genotyping. Approximately 36% (10 of 28) HIV-positive individuals had oral HPV carriage with one person carrying oncogenic type, HPV16. In addition, 80% (8 of 10) of those with HPV positivity by PCR are females, but with no statistically significant association. The CD4 count showed no significant association with oral HPV carriage in HIV positive individuals; however, age at first sex is a determinant of oral HPV infection in people living with HIV with positive association observed on both bivariate analysis and logistic regression (AOR: 150.49, 95% CI: 1.40-16,155.47, <i>p</i> = 0.036).