Analysis of the characteristics of HPV infection and its correlation with cervical cytology in 5 438 women

[Objective] To reveal the current status of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the cervix among women in the Maoming district, and analyze the characteristics of subtype distribution, and its correlation with the results of cervical cytologic test (TCT). [Methods] HPV testing was carried out in 27 071 women at Maoming People's Hospital from January 2022 to December 2023. Among them, 24 900 subjects underwent TCT testing. The HPV infection status, characteristics of subtype distribution, and their relationship with cervical lesions were analyzed. [Results] Among 27 071 women, 5 438 subjects were tested positive for HPV, with an infection rate of 20.09%. The five most common genotypes were HPV52 (19.92%), HPV58 (8.96%), HPV16 (8.83%), HPV53 (6.88%), and HPV81 (6.15%). Over 12% of individuals(1 244/10 237, 12.15%) undergoing routine physical examinations were positive for HPV. There were significant differences in HPV infection rates between the patients and those who underwent routine physical examination in all age groups(all P<0.001). Among the 24 900 patients who underwent both HPV and TCT tests, 3 676 cases showed single-genotype infections, among which 1 176 cases (31.99%) were TCT positive. A total of 1 236 cases were multiple-genotype infections, with TCT positive in 605 cases (48.95%). The TCT positive rate was higher in those with multiple-genotype HPV infections than those with single-genotype infections (χ2=128.86, P<0.001). Among the TCT positive cases, the top five HPV subtypes were HPV52 (19.20%), HPV16 (12.46%), HPV58 (8.91%), HPV53 (6.96%), and HPV51 (5.76%). The HPV infection rate was significantly higher in TCT positive individuals than TCT negative individuals (χ2=5 340.19, P<0.001). [Conclusions] In the Maoming district, HPV infection in women is primarily characterized by single-genotype infection. The characteristics of subtype HPV infection are consistent with previous reports. However, substantial portion of women with TCT positive are infected with HPV53 and HPV51, warranting attention.