Investigating oral human papillomavirus co-infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis

Compared to cervical cancer, little is known about human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven oropharyngeal cancer and their cofactors. Here, we investigated potential associations between Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) with oral HPV and HPV persistence, which are known cofactors in cervical carcinogenesis, and also play a role in HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer. Saliva samples (n = 547) from 312 people were tested for CT and NG and whom had previously been tested for oral HPV infection in a longitudinal study. Eight participants were positive for CT (2.6%) and one for NG (0.3%). Six of these nine participants were also positive for oral HPV in at least one of their samples. We found no significant associations between HPV, CT, or NG infection in the saliva samples analyzed. These preliminary data suggest CT and NG have little influence on oral HPV-positivity and persistence in a general population. However, larger studies focusing on 'at risk' population cohorts are necessary to assess potential associations between oral sexually transmissible infections and oral HPV infections, and their outcomes.