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Next-generation sequencing-based microbiological analysis is a complex way to profile vaginal microbiome samples since each step affects the results gained. Methodologies for sample collection lack golden standards. We compared Puritan DNA/RNA swab (PS) and Copan FLOQ swab (CS) and provided consistent and reliable microbiome profiles analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We collected two consecutive vaginal samples utilizing PS with room temperature storing and CS with instant freezing from 26 women. Variable region 4 of bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified with single PCR by custom-designed dual-indexed primers and sequenced with Illumina MiSeq system. Read quality control, operational taxonomic unit tables, and alpha and beta diversities analysis were performed, and community richness, diversity, and evenness were evaluated and compared between the two samplings and tests. Nineteen sample pairs produced detectable, intact DNA during the extraction protocol and/or further microbial profiles. Alpha bacterial diversity indices were independent on the collection protocol. No significant statistical differences were found in the measured beta diversity metrics between the collection methods. Of the women, 43% had Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiome profile despite of collection method. Previously reported important vaginal microbiome phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, and Proteobacteria were present in the sample set although their relative abundances varied among individuals. PS and CS enable constant vaginal microbiota sampling. The PS method with no need for instant freezing is suitable for on-site collections at clinics. Furthermore, it seems to be possible to take two samples instead of one with constant microbiological results.

Sexual health is an important aspect of quality of life, yet both healthcare professionals and patients might hesitate to bring up the topic during appointments. Our study investigated obstetrician-gynecologists' (OB/GYNs') self-reported competences in discussing and treating sexual problems, as well as the barriers to bringing up the subject. An additional aim was to evaluate the need for continuing education in sexual medicine.A web-based questionnaire was sent to the members of The Finnish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (n = 1212). The survey was completed by 328 respondents (275 specialists and 53 OB/GYN residents). Their background information (gender, age, education, occupational status, daily number of patients, and daily number of patients with sexual health issues) was assessed. The questionnaire included four fields: (A) self-reported competence in discussing and treating patients with sexual problems (three questions), (B) the barriers to bringing up sexual problems with patients (nine questions), (C) the source of education in sexual medicine (two questions), and (D) the need for education in sexual medicine (two questions).Most of the OB/GYNs self-reported their competence to be good in discussing sexual problems, but poor in treating patients' sexual problems. The male OB/GYNs reported better competence than did the females. Several barriers were identified-most frequently, "shortness of the appointment time" (76%), "lack of knowledge about sexual medicine" (75%), and "lack of experience with sexual medicine" (74%). Older OB/GYNs and male OB/GYNs reported fewer barriers. The majority of the respondents considered their previous education in sexual medicine to be insufficient, especially in medical school (95%), but also in residency (83%), and they reported a need for additional education.Our study indicated several barriers that hindered OB/GYNs from assessing sexual problems during appointments. Although OB/GYNs reported a good competence in discussing sexual problems, they reported a poor competence in treating them. Their previous education in sexual medicine was rated as insufficient, and continuing education was desired. The information provided by our study can be used for improving and organizing education in sexual medicine, which is crucial for diminishing the barriers to discussing and treating sexual problems.

Physicians and midwives meet patients with sexual health issues regularly; however, they may have limited sexual medicine education. The study's aim was to evaluate the self-reported competence of medical and midwifery students to bring up sexual health issues with their patients and to assess the barriers that hinder these discussions. The need for additional education was also evaluated.A web-based questionnaire was sent to the last-year medical and midwifery students graduating between December 2018 and May 2019 in Finland. In total, 233 medical students and 131 midwifery students participated in the study. Three fields were evaluated: the self-reported competence in discussing sexual health issues and treating patients with these issues, the barriers to bringing up sexual problems, and the need for education in sexual medicine.The students self-reported better competence in discussing sexual health issues than in treating patients' sexual problems. For the medical students, the most important barriers hindering bringing up sexual health issues were lack of i) time (89.2 %), ii) experience with sexual medicine (88.1 %), and iii) knowledge (82.1 %). For the midwifery students, the most important barriers were i) lack of experience with sexual medicine (73.3 %), ii) fear of failing to respond to patients' sexual health issues (64.9 %), and iii) lack of knowledge (62.5 %). A higher percentage of the midwifery students (96.2 %) reported an interest in sexual medicine education compared to the medical students (55.4 %) (OR 13.89, 95 % CI 5.32-35.71, P .001). Majority (76.5 %) of the medical students and almost half (45.0 %) of the midwifery students reported receiving too little sexual medicine education (OR 7.30, 95 % CI 4.00-13.33, P .001).Both student groups reported several barriers hindering bringing up sexual health issues with their patients and expressed a need for more education, particularly the medical students.

The aim was to evaluate the herpes simplex virus (HSV) seroprevalence and seroconversion among 285 pregnant women and their 120 male spouses in Finland during a six-year follow-up (FU) between 1998–2008. We also studied the effect of sexual habits, pregnancy, and other demographic factors on the acquisition of HSV infection. Combined HSV-1 and HSV-2-IgG antibodies were assessed in the first baseline serum samples with an indirect enzyme immunoassay method. The individuals with seronegative or borderline HSV serology at baseline were additionally tested using their latest FU serum sample available. The overall HSV seroprevalence during the FU was 58.9% (168/285) among the women and 53.3% (64/120) among their spouses. The seroconversion rate was 11.4% (15/132) and 12.5% (8/64) among women and their spouses, respectively. Both spouses were HSV seropositive in 39.2% (47/120). To determine the HSV-2 seroprevalence, we also tested all HSV-seropositive participants using HSV-2-specific antigen. HSV-2 seropositivity was detected in 10.9% (44/405) of the participants. The age (p = 0.006) and history of genital warts (p = 0.006) of the women were associated with combined HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 seropositivity, while a younger age was related to HSV seroconversion (p = 0.023). Among the male spouses, HSV seropositivity was associated with the practice of oral sex (p = 0.033). To conclude, women of childbearing age acquire primary HSV infections and the presence of HSV in oral epithelium is common among HSV-seropositive individuals.

Objectives Natural history of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the head and neck region is poorly understood, and their impact on collective HPV-specific immunity is not known. Materials and methods In this study, we have performed a systematic analysis of HPV16-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in 21 women with known oral and genital HPV DNA status and HPV serology (Ab) based on 6-year follow-up data. These women being a subgroup from the Finnish Family HPV Study were recalled for blood sampling to be tested for their CMI-responses to HPV16 E2, E6, and E7 peptides. Results The results showed that HPV16 E2-specific lymphocyte proliferation was more prevalent in women who tested HPV16 DNA negative in oral mucosa and were either HPV16 seropositive or negative than in HPV16 DNA+/Ab+ women (p = 0.046 and p = 0.035). In addition, the HPV16 DNA-/Ab- women most often displayed E6-specific proliferation (p = 0.020). Proportional cytokine profiles indicated that oral HPV16-negative women were characterized by prominent IFN-γ and IL-5 secretion not found in women with persisting oral HPV16 (p = 0.014 and p = 0.040, respectively). Conclusions Our results indicate that the naturally arising immune response induced by oral HPV infections displays a mixed Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokine profile while women with persisting oral HPV16 might have an impaired HPV16-specific CMI, shifted partly toward a Th2 profile, similarly as seen earlier among patients with high-grade genital HPV lesions. Thus, the lack of HPV 16 E2 and E6 specific T memory cells and Th2 cytokines might also predispose women for persistent oral HPV16 infection which might be related to the risk of cancer.

Sexual intercourse is regarded as the primary route of human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission. Reported rates of the genotype-specific genital concordance of HPV infection among heterosexual partners vary. Most studies have evaluated only male/female genital transmission, but lately, the oral region has gained interest because of a rising trend of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer. Risk factors for type-specific concordance have been reported as an increasing number of younger couples, persistent HPV infection, higher frequency of sexual intercourse, rising number of spouse’s lifetime sexual partners, and sexual relations with prostitutes. However, the concordance of the same genital HPV genotype does not absolutely mean that it has been transmitted by the current partner. There are also other possible non-sexual transmission routes. The detected HPV infection may also be a reactivation of a previous infection. The high complexity of HPV transmission dynamics within an individual him-/herself as well as within sexual couples is discussed in this article.

Background: Aberrant microbiota composition has been linked to disease development at numerous anatomical sites. Microbiota changes in reaction to viral infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), have been investigated almost exclusively in the female reproductive tract. However, HPV infection may also affect male health by reducing semen quality and fertility. The aim of this study was to investigate whether present HPV DNA is associated with detectable changes in semen bacterial microbiota composition and diversity. Methods: This study relied on stored semen samples from 31 fertile healthy men who participated in the Finnish family HPV Study during the years 1998–2001. DNA was extracted from semen with PCR template preparation kit. HPV was genotyped using Luminex-based Multimetrix® assay. Microbiota was analyzed from the V3-V4 region of 16S rDNA gene following sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform. All statistical analyses were performed with Calypso software version 8.84. Results: HPV DNA was detected in 19.4% (6/31) of the semen samples. HPV status in the semen did not impact the α-diversity estimations, as measured by Chao1 and Shannon indices, nor ß-diversity. Nevertheless, HPV-positive semen samples exhibited differences in the taxonomic composition of the bacterial microbiota including higher abundances of Moraxellaceae (p = 0.028), Streptococcus (p = 0.0058) and Peptostreptococcus (p = 0.012) compared to HPV-negative semen samples. Conclusion: HPV infection is associated with altered bacterial microbiota composition in semen, and this might have in impact to male health in general. As of present, it is unclear whether these changes result from HPV infection or whether altered bacterial microbiota increases susceptibility to HPV infection. More research is needed on viral-bacterial interactions in the male reproductive system., Finnish Family HPV Study has been supported by the Academy of Finland, Finnish Cancer Foundation, Sohlberg Foundation, Finnish Dental Society, and the Government Special Foundation (EVO) to Turku University Hospital.

Many chronic diseases and their medications may induce sexual problems. This study aimed to evaluate whether general practitioners (GPs) raise sexual health issues during appointments with patients who have chronic diseases.A web-based questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 1,000 GPs in Finland.The study aim was to determine GPs' self-reported inquiry into sexual problems with patients who have chronic diseases and GPs' awareness of medications inducing sexual problems.Only 16.2% of the GPs inquired about sexual health issues, typically during appointments dealing with reproductive organs. A majority (66.9%) considered sexual problems to be side-effects of medications, but only 17.9% followed up about them. Compared to male GPs, female GPs were more likely to inquire about gynecologic patients' sexual issues (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.05-2.99), but less likely to ask about them with urologic (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.35-0.91) and neurologic patients (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17-0.72). The GPs aged 40-49 and 50-65 were more likely than those aged 27-39 to inquire about sexual health issues among patients with cardiovascular (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.11-7.44, OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.16-7.19) and neurologic (OR 4.63, 95% CI 1.45-14.82, OR 5.68, 95% CI 1.87-17.23) diseases.GPs seldom inquire about sexual problems with patients who have chronic diseases or after prescribing medications for these conditions, which may lead to underdiagnosis and undertreatment of sexual problems.

Highlights • Domestic violence is a major public health problem that violates human rights. • In long-lasting and frequent violence, the victim is usually a woman. • Being a victim of domestic violence is a highly intimate and stigmatising experience and thus difficult to screen. • Even broad social media movements such as #MeToo do not necessarily facilitate screening., Objective Domestic violence is a hidden epidemic. We used a two-question screening tool to explore the prevalence of domestic violence among gynaecological outpatients. We also retrospectively assessed whether there was a change in the prevalence rate of self-reported violence after the launch of the #MeToo movement. Study design Over an 11-month period, all gynaecological first-time visitors to our outpatient clinic were asked two dichotomous questions that screened for domestic violence and examined whether the violence had an ongoing impact on the respondent’s everyday life. We used logistic regression models to assess whether the launch of #MeToo was associated with the answers to these two questions. Results Of the 6,957 screened women, 154 (2.2%) tested positive for domestic violence. Among the screen-positive women, 87 (56.5%) reported that the violence affected their health and well-being. Of these 87 women, 52.9% wanted further support and 72.4% had already contacted psychiatric care. Out of all of the patients, the proportion of screen-positive respondents was 2.3% before and 2.2% after #MeToo. We did not detect increased odds of self-reporting domestic violence (odds ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.70-1.36) or its ongoing impact on the victim’s everyday life (odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 0.53-2.07) after #MeToo. Conclusions Our two-question screening tool detected a lower prevalence of domestic violence among gynaecological outpatients than previous reports examining the general population. Our results illustrate the dire challenges in screening for domestic violence that persist even in the post-#MeToo era. Domestic violence remains a highly intimate, stigmatising, and underreported health issue, and systematic measures to screen for and prevent it should be advocated, both in gynaecological patients and the general population.

Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a key event in HPV-induced carcinogenesis. As part of the prospective Finnish Family HPV Study, we analysed the physical state and viral copy numbers of HPV16 in asymptomatic oral infections that either persisted or cleared during the 6-year follow-up. The persister group comprised 14 women and 7 men with 51 and 21 HPV16-positive brush samples. The clearance group included 41 women and 13 men, with 64 and 24 samples, respectively. Physical state and viral DNA load were assessed by using quantitative PCR for HPV16 E2 and E6 genes. E2/E6 ratio was calculated and HPV16 was classified as episomal, mixed or integrated with values of 0.93-1.08, The Finnish Family HPV Study has been supported by the Academy of Finland (no. 116438/2006, no. 130204/2008), Finnish Cancer Foundation, Solberg Foundation, Finnish Dental Society Apollonia and the Government Special Foundation (EVO) to Turku University Hospital. The funders had no role in the study design and data analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript

Data on genotype-specific concordance of oral-oral and genital-oral HPV infections among marital couples are key to understand HPV transmission between spouses. Genotype-specific concordance of HPV infections (oral/genital) and their co-variates among 131 marital couples were determined during 6-year follow-up (FU). Seven oral scrapings were taken from both spouses, accompanied by six genital samplings from the women and one (at baseline) from the male partners. HPV-genotyping was performed by nested PCR and a Luminex®-based Multimetrix Assay. Demographic data were collected with questionnaires at baseline and study conclusion. Prevalence of oral HPV varied from 10.3 to 27.0 % and 15.8 to 31.3 % in women and men, respectively. At baseline, 37.6 % of the male genital samples were HPV-positive while in female genital samples, HPV prevalence varied from 13.3 to 59.4 %. Only 15 couples had HPV genotype-specific concordance (oral-oral n = 7; male oral-female genital n = 9; female oral-male genital n = 2). In the nested case-control setting, higher number of deliveries (OR 0.145, 95%CI 0.030-0.706, p = 0.017) and higher number of intercourse (OR 0.488, 95%CI 0.243-0.978, p = 0.043) decreased the likelihood of concordant HPV infections while practicing oral sex increased the risk (OR 0.299, 95%CI 0.120-0.748, p = 0.010). In multivariate analysis, the likelihood of concordance was decreased by higher number of pregnancies of the female partner (p = 0.020) and by higher frequency of intercourse reported by the male spouse (p = 0.027). To conclude, asymptomatic HPV infections were common in both spouses while genotype-specific concordance was low. This supports the view that HPV profile of the spouses has been established before the current marital relationship.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) establishes latency in neurons and recurrent infections in oral mucosa. This prospective study analyzes HSV prevalence in oral mucosal brush samples from men with known human papillomavirus (HPV) status. We hypothesized that HSV-1-infection could facilitate HPV persistence as a cofactor. This study was a part of the Finnish Family HPV study accomplished at the University of Turku/Turku University Hospital, Finland. A total of 139 men (mean age 28.6 ± 4.9 years) were enrolled at 36+-weeks of their partner's pregnancy and thereafter followed-up for 6 years. Altogether, 722 samples, extracted from oral brush samples collected at the enrollment timepoint (baseline) and at 2-, 6-, 12-, 24-, 36-month, and 6 years, were available. HSV DNA was analyzed with quantitative PCR. HSV-1 results were compared with the known HPV data. The prevalence of oral HSV-1 shedding varied between 0-7.2% (mean 2.8%) among the men. Mean copy numbers varied between 4 and 550 genome copies/sample. A total of 18 (12.9%) men were found HSV-1-positive at least once, two of them twice. Neither smoking nor oral sex was associated with the oral HSV-1-DNA finding. HPV/HSV-1 co-infection was found in 6 (4.3%) men, all of them having persistent HPV-infection. In conclusion, HSV-1 and its coinfection with HPV in oral mucosa was rare.

More data are needed on the role of abnormal vaginal microbiota in the natural history of cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Our purpose was to study the prevalence of mixed flora (MF), bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infection in women with known HPV outcomes during the 72-month follow-up (FU). Asymptomatic pregnant women (N = 329) were enrolled in the third trimester of their pregnancy. Pap smears and HPV genotyping samples were taken at baseline and at 12-, 24-, 36- and 72-month FU visits, with one additional sample at 2 months for HPV. HPV testing was done with nested PCR and Multimetrix assay to determine the point prevalence and persistence of HPV. Conventional Pap smears were scored for MF, BV and yeast infection. Covariates of the outcomes were analyzed using generalized estimating equation (GEE) and Poisson regression. Of the women, 76.6% (252/329) tested HPV-positive at least once during the FU. BV was detected in 12.2% (40/329), MF in 57.4% (189/329) and yeast infection in 22.9% (73/329) of the women. HPV-positive women had significantly more leucocytes in their Pap smear (p = 0.023) than the HPV-negative ones. MF (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.77-4.27) and yeast infection (p = 0.007) were linked with HPV positivity. BV but not yeast infection was a significant covariate of HPV persistence (p = 0.024; OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.13-4.08). MF and yeast infection were associated with prevalent cervical HPV infection. In the longitudinal setting, BV predicted HPV persistence, implicating that treatment of asymptomatic BV in women with cervical HR-HPV infections might be justified.

The prospective Finnish Family HPV Study evaluated the dynamics of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection within families. Here, we focused on HPV serology in men. Seroprevalence at baseline, seroconversion and decay of low-risk (LR)-HPV6 and 11, and high risk (HR)-HPV16, 18 and 45 L1 antibodies in 122 men at 12, 24 and 36 months were determined using Luminex-based multiplex HPV serology, and correlated with demographic data. At baseline, seropositivity to HPV6, 11, 16, 18 and 45 was observed in 41.0, 11.5, 23.0, 13.9 and 5.7 % of the men, respectively. In univariate analysis, LR-HPV seropositivity was related to smoking status, history of genital warts and being seropositive to HR-HPV. Oral HR-HPV DNA and baseline LR-HPV seropositivity predicted HR-HPV seropositivity. Seroconversion to HPV6, 11, 16, 18 and 45 antigens during follow-up was found in 24.6, 11.5, 5.7, 5.7 and 0.8 %, respectively. Seroconversion to LR-HPV was negatively related to a higher number of children and oral sex, and positively associated with seroconversion to HR-HPV. In multivariate analysis, the same predictors remained significant except for the number of children. In univariate generalised estimating equations (GEE) for HR-HPV, being seroconverted to LR-HPV was the only predictor, but lost its significance in multivariate analyses. Decay of all HPV L1 antibodies was rare and observed in 0-2 %. The HPV antibody profile in men was dominated by response to HPV6, also showing the highest cumulative seroconversion. Oral HPV infection might affect HPV serology: (1) HPV DNA in oral mucosa is associated with baseline HR-HPV seropositivity and (2) practising oral sex significantly reduces longitudinal seroconversion to HPV6 and/or 11.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are associated with sexual behavior. Changes in the sexual habits of couples and their impact on male genital and oral HPV infections were determined during 7 years of follow-up (FU). At baseline and 7 years FU, urethral, semen/penile, and oral samples were collected from 46 men and cervical and oral samples of their spouses for HPV DNA detection. Demographic data and risk factors of spouses were recorded by questionnaire at both time points and analyzed for concordance. HPV genotyping was done with the Multimetrix® kit. At baseline, 29.5 % of the male genital and 11 % of their oral samples tested positive. Incident genital HPV infection was found in 23 % and oral infection in 10.9 % of men. Genotype-specific persistence was detected in one man (HPV53) in genital samples. Moderate to almost perfect concordance of changes in sexual habits during FU among spouses were found. Changing partners [p = 0.028; odds ratio (OR) = 15; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.355-166.054] and marital status (p = 0.001; 95 % CI 0.000-0.002) increased the risk of incident genital HPV infections. The overall outcome of genital HPV disease in men was linked to the frequency of sexual intercourse (p = 0.023; 95 % CI 0.019-0.026) and changes in marital status (p = 0.022; 95 % CI 0.019-0.026), while oral HPV infections were associated with the number of sexual partners (p = 0.047; 95 % CI 0.041-0.052). Taken together, asymptomatic genital HPV infections among the men were common. The risk of incident genital HPV infections increased among men reporting a change of sexual partner during FU, implicating that a stable marital relationship protects against oral and genital HPV infection.

Background In addition to the anogenital malignancies, human papillomavirus (HPV) has been linked to oropharyngeal cancer as an important risk factor in both men and women. Knowledge of oral HPV infection among males is needed to elucidate the transmission routes and potential for prevention. Objective To assess the prevalence, genotype distribution, and incidence of oral HPV infections among healthy Finnish men followed for 7 yr. Design, setting, and participants Oral scrapings for HPV testing were taken from 131 fathers-to-be (mean age: 28.9 yr) at baseline and at 2-mo, 6-mo, 12-mo, 24-mo, 36-mo, and 7-yr follow-up visits to detect prevalent and incident HPV infections. Purified DNA extracted from scrapings was used for HPV genotyping, with the Multimetrix kit (Progen Biotechnik, Heidelberg, Germany) detecting 24 genotypes. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Point prevalence, genotype distribution, and incident rates of oral HPV infections. Demographic data were collected using structured questionnaires, and covariates of incident oral HPV infections were analysed using uni- and multivariate Poisson regression (for panel data). Results and limitations The point prevalence of oral HPV infection fluctuated from 15.1% to 31.1% during the follow-up period. In total, 17 different HPV genotypes were found. At baseline, the single most frequent genotype among the HPV-positive samples was HPV16 (33.3%; 8 of 24), followed by HPV33 (12.5%) and HPV82 (12.5%). Multiple-type infections comprised 16.7% (4 of 24), HPV16 being involved in all combinations. For baseline-negative men, the mean time to the first incident infection ranged from 3.9 mo (HPV82) to 25.7 mo (HPV56). None of the demographic factors was a significant independent predictor of incident oral HPV infections in multivariate models. Conclusions Detection of oral HPV DNA carriage in men is common, HPV16 being the most prevalent genotype. Oral mucosa may play a significant role in HPV transmission.

Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection is the key event in the progression of HPV lesions, and more data are urgently needed on asymptomatic oral HPV infections in men. Asymptomatic fathers-to-be (n = 131, mean age 28.9 years) were enrolled in the cohort, sampled by serial oral scrapings at baseline and at 2-month, 6-month, 12-month, 24-month, 36-month, and 7-year follow-up visits to accomplish persistent and cleared HPV infections. HPV genotyping was performed using nested PCR and Multimetrix® assay. Covariates of persistent and cleared oral HPV infections were analysed using generalised estimating equation (GEE) and Poisson regression. Altogether, 17 HPV genotypes were detected in male oral mucosa point prevalence, varying from 15.1 % to 31.1 %. Genotype-specific HPV persistence was detected in 18/129 men the mean persistence time ranging from 6.0 to 30.7 months. History of genital warts decreased (p = 0.0001; OR = 0.41, 95 % CI 0.33−0.51) and smoking increased (p = 0.033, OR = 1.92, 95 % CI 1.05−3.50) the risk of persistent species 7/9 HPV infections. Of the 74 HPV-positive men, 71.6 % cleared their infection actuarial and crude clearance times, varying between 1.4 and 79.6 months. No independent predictors were identified for species 7/9 clearance. At the last follow-up-visit, 50.1 % of the fathers had oral mucosal changes, correlating only with smoking (p = 0.046). To conclude, most of the persisting oral infections in males were caused by HPV16. Smoking increased while previous genital warts decreased oral HR-HPV persistence. No predictors of HR-HPV clearance were disclosed.

Introduction Genotype‐specific concordance among human papillomavirus (HPV)‐infected spouses is incompletely assessed. HPV concordance is of importance in counselling HPV‐infected subjects and their partners. Aim To determine HPV‐genotype distribution and prevalence in semen and urethral samples of young fathers and their concordance with HPV‐genotypes in cervical and oral mucosal samples of their spouses. Methods In the Finnish Family HPV study, urethral and semen samples were collected from 131 fathers‐to‐be for HPV genotyping with Multimetrix assay. HPV‐genotyping data were correlated with the data of the cervical and oral mucosal samples of the spouses collected at third trimester pregnancy at baseline. Main Outcome Measure Concordance of HPV‐genotypes between the spouses. Results Urethral and/or semen samples tested HPV positive in 47/131 (35.9%) of the fathers‐to‐be, more frequently in semen (28/90; 31%) than in urethral (29/128; 23%) samples. In women, 18.8% of their cervical and 17.2% of the oral samples tested HPV‐positive. Of the HPV‐positive samples, HPV16 was the most frequent genotype, present in 39.3% of semen, 77.3% of mothers' oral, and 29.2% of cervical samples. Multiple‐type infections were found in 24.1% of HPV‐positive urethral and 21.6% of semen samples. In mothers, half of their cervical and 4.5% of oral HPV were multiple‐type infections. The HPV‐genotype‐specific concordance among spouses ranged from 0% to 9.5%, according to the sampling sites. Altogether, eight couples disclosing such a concordance were analyzed separately for a risk‐profile. Mothers of the HPV‐concordant couples reported significantly higher number (>6) of life‐time sexual partners than did the discordant mothers ( P = 0.030). Conclusions Asymptomatic HPV infections were common in both parents, while the genotype‐specific concordance among spouses was low. In both partners, HPV16 is the dominant genotype. HPV6 was a prevalent HPV genotype in male genitalia. Female risk profile might enhance the transmission of HPV infection to her male partner and increase the genotype‐specific HPV concordance between the spouses. Kero K, Rautava J, Syrjanen K, Grenman S, and Syrjanen S. Human papillomavirus genotypes in male genitalia and their concordance among pregnant spouses participating in the Finnish family HPV study. J Sex Med 2011;8:2522–2531.