AUTHOR=Shu Zhun , Zhao Wenli , Zhan Xuebing , Zeng Jiaqi , Li Jingyi 

TITLE=Epidemiology and genotypes analysis of human papillomavirus infection in Huizhou, China

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1440480

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2024.1440480

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<sec id="sec1"><title>Background</title><p>Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a main pathogenic factor for cervical carcinoma. The prevalence and genotypes distribution of HPV vary in different regions. Thus, our study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of HPV in Huizhou, China.</p></sec><sec id="sec2"><title>Methods</title><p>HPV tests were detected in 5,325 female outpatients, we focused on the overall HPV prevalence, genotypes distribution, and the correlation of HPV genotypes with cervical cytology.</p></sec><sec id="sec3"><title>Results</title><p>The overall HPV prevalence was 27.53%, HPV52, HPV58, HPV39, HPV16 and HPV51 were predominant genotypes with single infection rate of 70.80%. HPV infection rate showed a U-shaped age distribution, statistical differences were observed among 5 age groups (χ<sup>2</sup> = 50.497, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01), and the higher positive rate was aged under 30 (34.42%) and above 60 (34.74%). Among high-risk HPV (hrHPV) infections, 60.69% involved NILM, 0.99% HSIL. The degrees of cervical lesions in multiple hrHPV infections were worse than those in single infection (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01).</p></sec><sec id="sec4"><title>Conclusion</title><p>The HPV infection rate is high in Huizhou, Guangdong, single infection was predominant. HPV infection presented with a U-shaped age distribution. Multiple hrHPV infection was worrying since it may aggravate cervical lesions. Women should pay more attention to HPV detection and choose a more appropriate HPV vaccine according to local HPV type distribution.</p></sec>