{
  "abstract": "Background Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a preventive strategy that reduces the risk of acquiring HIV infection. However, PrEP does not provide protection against other sexually transmitted infections such as Human Papillomavirus (HPV); for this reason, it should be integrated into a multifactorial prevention approach. The prevalence of HPV infection and the risk of subsequent anal precancerous lesions are high among PrEP users and are estimated to be similar to those observed in people living with HIV (PLWH). The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of an HPV screening and treatment program in a population of PrEP users.Material and Methods Retrospective study. All PrEP users followed at the Infectious Diseases Day Hospital of Perugia from 2020 to February 2026 were enrolled.Results The study population includes 197 PrEP users, of whom 179 (90.9%) are men who have sex with men (MSM), 15 male to female (MTF) (7.6%), 1 female to male (FTM) (0.5%), and 2 female users (1.0%). 127 users are on continuous PrEP (64.5%) and 68 are on an ‘on-demand’ regimen (34.5%). Currently, 108 patients are still actively on PrEP (54.8%). The median PrEP follow-up is 16.5 months (interquartile range 6.7–29.9). The mean age is 39.4 (standard deviation 10.6). A positivity for syphilis serology was detected, before or during PrEP, in 98 users (49.7%). Moreover 32 PrEP users had a previous gonorrhea (16.2%), 16 (8.1%) had a previous Chlamydia infection and 44 (22.3%) had other previous sexually transmitted infections. A total of 80 (40.6%) PrEP users underwent anal swab. 39 users refused anal swab (19.8%). At least one HPV genotype was detected in 60 participants (75%). Among those who underwent anal swab and tested positive for HPV, at least one high-risk (HR) genotype was identified in 52 users (65%) ( figure 1). Anal pap test was performed in 41 PrEP users who had positive anal swab (68.3%). Among the 60 users who tested positive for anal swab, 27 received a surgical evaluation (45%). 118 PrEP users (59.8%) underwent vaccination against HPV, 78 against monkeypox virus (MPOX) (39.6%) and 63 against hepatitis A (HAV) (32.0%).Conclusions The prevalence of HPV infection and the risk of subsequent anal precancerous lesions are high among PrEP users. HPV screening has demonstrated its efficacy in detecting individuals who may be at risk for neoplastic progression. The HPV screening conducted at Perugia Infectious Diseases Day Hospital has allowed us to pinpoint patients in need of surgical assessment or potential therapeutic measures. In contrast, the suggestion for HPV vaccination was well-received, while the use of anal swab and pap test for screening was not consistently embraced by patients.Abstract P206 Figure 1Anal swab HPV results",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Infectious Diseases Clinic, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "MC Benvenuto"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Infectious Diseases Clinic, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "S Gobbi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Infectious Diseases Clinic, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "G Gonnelli"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Infectious Diseases Clinic, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "C Papalini"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Infectious Diseases Clinic, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "G Gamboni"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Infectious Diseases Clinic, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "C Pallotto"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Infectious Diseases Clinic, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "A Gidari"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Infectious Diseases Clinic, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "GV De Socio"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P206 Impact of HPV screening and treatment in a population of PrEP users - data from Perugia hospital",
  "uid": "bbd0ade3-1a76-53f0-90f2-d410f043ee09"
}