Human Papilloma Virus Infections in Men: Focus on Vaccination and Treatment Options

Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the most prevalent among sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). There are more than 100 types of HPV, with the possibility of infection for both male and female, affecting sexual organs, mouth, and throat. The majority of people affected are unaware of the infection. HPV is associated with a large spectrum of clinical features, such as unapparent infections, unspecific epithelial lesions, genital warts, and cancers. Although a consistent and coherent picture about the epidemiology and pathogenesis of genital HPV infections in women has been developed over the past 30 years, fewer studies have been conducted on this infection in men. The same has happened with regards to the vaccine, which were concentrated on females with the primary objective being the prevention of cervical cancer. In recent years, with a better understanding of HPV infection and its clinical manifestations in males, the quadrivalent vaccine has been approved signifying a more forward-thinking approach in this population. More targeted interventions are needed for the control of HPV infection in men, particularly those who are unaware and probably account for most transmissions. The purpose of this review is to give an insight on the most recent evidence available in the literature on HPV treatment and prevention among men.