| Abstract | dc.description.abstract | Molecular, clinical and epidemiological studies have established
beyond doubt that human papiloma viruses (HPV) cause cervical cancer. The virus is also
associated with genital warts and other less common cancers in oropharynx, vulva, vagina and
penis. Worldwide, VPH genotypes 16 and 18 are the most common high risk genotypes, detected
in near 70% of women with cervical cancer. The discovery of a cause-effect relationship
between several carcinogenic microorganisms and cancer open avenues for new diagnostic,
treatment and prevention strategies. In this issue of Revista Médica de Chile, two papers on HPV
are presented. Guzman and colleagues demonstrate that HPV can be detected in 66% to 77% of
healthy male adolescents by polymerase chain reaction and that positivity depends on the site of
the penis that is sampled. These results support the role of male to female transmission of high
risk HPVs in Chile and should lead to even more active educational campaigns. The second
paper provides recommendations for HPV vaccine use in Chile, generated by the Immunization
Advisory Committee of the Chilean Infectious Disease Society. To issue these recommendations,
the Committee analyzes the epidemiological information available on HPV infection and
cervical cancer in Chile, vaccine safety and effectiveness data, and describes cost-effectiveness
studies. Taking into account that universal vaccination is controversial, the Committee favors
vaccine use in Chile and it’s incorporation into a national program. However, there is an
indication that the country requires the implementation of an integrated surveillance approach
including cross matching of data obtained from HPV genotype surveillance, monitoring of
vaccination coverage, and surveillance of cervical cancer. The final decision of universal
vaccine use in Chile should be based on a through analysis of information | en_US |
