RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR) human papillomavirus (HPV) in prepuces of boys and men without any HPV related lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2009 and 2011, a total collective of 250 boys and men were investigated in this prospective study. The samples were subdivided into 3 groups regarding their age, consisting of 125 (50%) children (0-10 years), 38 (15.2%) adolescents (11-20 years) and 87 (34.8%) adults (>20 years). In situ hybridization (ISH) was performed to detect HR and LR virus types within the epithelium, followed by microscopic interpretation and determination between episomal and integrative signal pattern. RESULTS: Our results revealed high levels of HPV concentration (HR and LR) in all age groups: HR versus LR positivity was seen in 45.5 versus 35% (children), 60.6 versus 63.6% (adolescents) and 58.3 versus 48.6% (adults). The topmost rate of HR (59.8%)- and LR (50.6%)-positive probes was found in the group with high estimated sexual activity (>14 years). CONCLUSION: Concerning the high prevalence of male HPV infection even in children, indicating non-sexual transmission pathways, inclusion of boys in the vaccination program seems to be required reducing their burden of HPV related disease.