Vaccination for HPV in Females Associated with a Decline in Genital Warts in Females and Males
Researchers from Australia have reported a decline in the number of cases of genital warts in women and men since the initiation of quadrivalent vaccination to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The details of this study appeared in an early on-line publication in Sexually Transmitted Infections on October 16, 2009.[1]
HPV types 16 and 18 account for an estimated 70% of all cases of cervical cancer and have also been linked with cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and oropharynx. HPV types 6 and 11 are linked with most cases of genital warts. Gardasil® (HPV quadrivalent vaccine) is intended to prevent infection with these four types of HPV.
The current Australian study evaluated the impact of vaccination with Gardasil in girls between the ages of 12 and 18 years in school-based programs and in women 26 years of age or younger in general practice. Vaccination began in April of 2007 in schools and in July of 2007 in general practice. The study population consisted of 36,055 new patients in a sexual health clinic in Melbourne between 2004 and 2008.
- There was a 25.2% decline in the incidence of genital warts in young women for each quarter of 2008 (p<0.001).
- In heterosexual men, there was a 5% decline in the incidence of genital warts for each quarter of 2008 (p=0.031).
- Previous quarters (during 2004 to 2007) had never had a significant decline in incidence of genital warts in men or women.
These authors concluded that “Our data suggest a rapid and marked reduction in the incidence of genital warts among vaccinated women may be achievable through an HPV vaccination program targeting women, and supports some benefit being conferred to heterosexual men.”
Comments: These are important observations as they document the relative immediate impact of vaccination for prevention of HPV infection which should lead to a decreased incidence of cervical and other HPV related cancers. These data also document a decreased incidence of genital warts in unvaccinated males although vaccination of males would be more effective.
Related News:
HPV Vaccine Effective in Males (11/17/2008)
HPV Vaccination Recommended for Boys and Girls for Prevention of Head and Neck Cancers (10/15/2007)
Reference:
[1] Fairley CK, Hocking JS, Gurrin LC, et al. Rapid decline in presentations for genital warts after the implementation of a national quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccination program for young women. Sexually Transmitted Infections 2009;E-pub on October 16.
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