Presenter Information

Hayley M. Stettner, PA-C, MPAS

Abstract

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Strains 16 and 18 are causes of cervical, anogenital, and oropharyngeal cancer. A study found a nearly 3-fold increase in incidence of cardiovascular (CV) events, i.e. stroke and myocardial infarction (MI), in HPV-infected women. HPV-16 and 18 contain protein E6 that binds to p53 tumor suppressor protein, which aids in regulating atherosclerosis, and causes p53 protein degeneration. Additional studies have linked absence of p53 protein to accumulation of atherosclerosis in the body, which is the leading cause of CV events. Presented is a case of a 55-year old male who was found to have HPV16+ tonsillar cancer that suffered from an MI. HPV infection may have been a compounding risk factor for the development of this patient’s atherosclerosis. Based on the available research, it is plausible that HPV infection is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in men.

School

Rangos School of Health Sciences

Advisor

Kristin D'Acunto, PA-C, MPAS

Submission Type

Paper

Publication Date

March 2017

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Mar 17th, 12:00 AM

The Recognition of HPV Infection as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease in Men

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Strains 16 and 18 are causes of cervical, anogenital, and oropharyngeal cancer. A study found a nearly 3-fold increase in incidence of cardiovascular (CV) events, i.e. stroke and myocardial infarction (MI), in HPV-infected women. HPV-16 and 18 contain protein E6 that binds to p53 tumor suppressor protein, which aids in regulating atherosclerosis, and causes p53 protein degeneration. Additional studies have linked absence of p53 protein to accumulation of atherosclerosis in the body, which is the leading cause of CV events. Presented is a case of a 55-year old male who was found to have HPV16+ tonsillar cancer that suffered from an MI. HPV infection may have been a compounding risk factor for the development of this patient’s atherosclerosis. Based on the available research, it is plausible that HPV infection is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in men.