Correlation between cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and human papillomavirus male infections: A longitudinal study

Background: Genital HPV infection is one of the most common sexually-transm itted diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation betwee n HPV-associated lesions in male partners of women affected by CIN. Methods: 210 male partners of women affected by CIN were examined in a long -term follow-up (from 5 to 13 years). The diagnosis in females was performe d by cytology, colposcopy and histology. Male partners were submitted to cl inical examination, peniscopy and biopsy. Results: 111/210 (53%) females had CIN I, 53/210 (25%) and 46/210 (22%) had CIN III. Subclinical lesions were associated with 18%, 28% and 24% of male partners of women with CIN I, CIN II and CIN III, respectively. Clinical l esions were observed in 7% and 10% of sexual partners of women with CIN I a nd CIN II, respectively. Mixed lesions affected only 3% of sexual partners of women with CIN I. Conclusions: Our data show that the transmissibility of HPV infection to th e male partners of women affected by CIN was easier when there was a lower grade of CIN. In fact, male partners of women with CIN III hall a lower per centage (26%) of clinical or subclinical HPV skin lesions.