Study Identifies Strains of HPV Specifically Linked To HIV

Photo above (L-R): The HPV  and HIV viruses

A University of California (UC) Riverside-led study found people with any HPV type, and particularly high-risk HPV are more likely to test positive for HIV.

The international research team led by HIV expert Brandon Brown at the UC Riverside identified individual types of the human papilloma virus, or HPV, that are specifically linked to HIV infection.

The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE and concludes that a person with any HPV type, more than one HPV type, or high-risk HPV is more likely to acquire HIV.

In an effort to both treat and prevent transmission Dr. Brown, "recommends the HPV vaccine, widely provided to everyone — regardless of sex, gender, or sexual orientation— before sexual debut, and genital wart treatment."

“Even if the vaccine is not provided before sexual debut, there can be strong benefit if given at any time to prevent HPV-associated disease and also HIV,” Brown said in a statement.

The University of California, Riverside is a doctoral research university, a living laboratory for groundbreaking exploration of issues critical to Inland Southern California, the state and communities around the world. Reflecting California's diverse culture, UCR's enrollment is now nearly 23,000 students. The campus opened a medical school in 2013 and has reached the heart of the Coachella Valley by way of the UCR Palm Desert Center. The campus has an annual statewide economic impact of more than $1 billion. To learn more, call (951) UCR-NEWS.