Distribution of High-Risk HPV in Cervical Versus Oropharyngeal Samples: Results from a Prospective Screening Study in a Cohort of European Women of Reproductive Age

High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection with genotypes such as HPV-16 and HPV-18 is a well-established risk factor for cervical cancer; however, its prevalence in oropharyngeal sites among asymptomatic women remains less clearly defined. We evaluated 400 women aged 20-40 years (mean age 29.6 years) for the presence of HPV-16, HPV-18, and other HR-HPV genotypes in both cervical and oropharyngeal samples. Cervical specimens were collected using flocked swabs, and oropharyngeal specimens using flocked nylon swabs. Samples were preserved in transport medium, transported at 4-8 °C, and stored at -20 °C until DNA extraction. Viral DNA was isolated with the AA Viral DNA Kit and analyzed using the GenoProf HPV Screening Test, which employs multiplex PCR and reverse hybridization. HPV-16 was detected in 9.5% of participants, HPV-18 in 7.3%, and other HR-HPV genotypes in 14.3%. No statistically significant variation in prevalence across age groups was observed (HPV-16: χ² = 0.10, <i>p</i> = 0.992; HPV-18: χ² = 0.10, <i>p</i> = 0.992; HR-HPV: χ² = 0.15, <i>p</i> = 0.985). Importantly, no HPV DNA was detected in oropharyngeal swabs. These findings indicate that, in this cohort of reproductive-age women, HR-HPV infection was confined to the cervix, with oropharyngeal infection being rare or undetectable. The results underscore the importance of prioritizing cervical screening initiatives in similar populations.