vaccination and screening are the most effective methods for reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality. With high immunization coverage, there is a potential for changes in the pattern of HPV types circulating in the population, increasing the risk of reduced effectiveness of vaccination programs. Studying genotypic diversity, the prevalence of coinfections, and the interactions of HPV genotypes in different populations is a complex task for determining the oncogenic potential of the pathogen and assessing the effectiveness of vaccination. Study objective. To study the genotypic diversity and prevalence of highly oncogenic HPV types and to conduct an epidemiological assessment of coinfection patterns in patients at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Materials and methods. From 2005 to 2024, 9,056 patients were examined, including 1,269 women without complaints or clinical manifestations of disease and 751 patients with STIs. They were tested for STIs and identified 12 HPV genotypes. Research methods included PCR, clinical, epidemiological, and statistical methods. Results and discussion. The prevalence of HPV among patients with dermatovenereological profile was 28.4 %. The most common HPV types in patients at risk for STIs are both vaccine-relevant (HPV 16) and non-vaccine-relevant (HPV 31, 33, 35, 45, 56, 58) genotypes of the virus, which is important to consider when developing screening and prevention programs. The prevalence of HPV and STI coinfections was revealed in 74.7 % of cases, including 74.9 % in mycoureaplasmosis. Multiple HPV infection was detected in 15 % of cases, while the most frequent combinations of HPV VCR included genotypes 16, 31, 33, 35 and 56. Based on statistical analysis, competitive interactions are suggested between certain pairs of HPV genotypes.

Comparative analysis of HPV prevalence and genotype distribution in patients with base of tongue, cervical, and tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas: Indications of a shift in HPV genotype patterns

This descriptive study addresses a critical research gap by examining HPV and cervical neoplasia among women who have sex with women (WSW) in Cameroon, an underserved population. WSW typically undergo less frequent cervical cancer screening. We conducted a pilot study in Douala, Cameroon, recruiting WSW through Elle Cameroon, a community organization serving underserved populations. Working within the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, participants underwent HPV screening and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) enhanced by Digital Cervicography (DC). We ran the frequencies and determined the p-values, prevalence odds ratios (POR) and prevalence risk ratios (PRR) using STATA 17. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. Of 26 participants enrolled, 19 (73.1%) provided valid HPV results, with 57.9% (11/19) testing positive for HPV. Also 80.8 % (21/26) of the participants were screened for cervical neoplasia and 19.05% (4/19) were positive. There was no significant association between HPV cervical neoplasia. Those who were HPV positive had 1.4 and 1.3 POR and PRR respectively. Our results suggest high prevalence of oncogenic HPV and cervical neoplasia among WSW in Cameroon. An adequately powered study is needed to further elucidate these findings and address healthcare disparities in this underserved population.

The global prevalence of and risk factors associated with same-type HPV infection across multiple anogenital sites among men has not been quantified. Men aged 16-27 years participating in a multi-country 4-valent HPV vaccine trial (NCT00090285) were assessed at baseline for prevalent HPV infection at penile/scrotal and perineal/perianal sites (heterosexual men [HM] and men who have sex with men [MSM]) and additionally at intra-anal sites (MSM). Concordant infection with 9-valent HPV (9vHPV) vaccine types (6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58) was defined as same-type 9vHPV infection at 2 or 3 sites. 3363 HM and 595 MSM were included. Prevalence of concordant 9vHPV infection at 2 anogenital sites was 3.7% among HM and 9.1% among MSM, and 8.2% at 3 sites (including the intra-anal site) among MSM. HPV6 and HPV16 were most likely to occur at multiple anogenital sites in HM and MSM, with strong agreement observed between perineal/perianal and anal sites among MSM for HPV6 (Cohen's kappa, 0.78; 95% CI, .69-.87) and HPV16 (0.61; 95% CI, .50-.73). Concordant anogenital 9vHPV infection was more common among MSM than HM, which is consistent with evidence that MSM are at increased risk of HPV-related cancer across multiple anogenital sites. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00090285.

Background and aimHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection and is the leading cause of genital warts and cervical cancer. However, research on HPV prevalence within the Iraqi population is limited, with only a few published studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV among Iraqi women.MethodsIn this study, samples from 2,193 married women referred to PharmaGene laboratory for diagnostic evaluation between 2023 and 2025 were analyzed. HPV genotyping was performed using the HPV Direct Flow CHIP system.ResultThe overall positive rate was 12.7% (n = 279). Within the positive cases, 6.9% had only high-risk (HR-HPV) genotypes, 4.4% had only low-risk (LR-HPV) genotypes, and 1.4% were co-infected with both HR and LR-HPV genotypes. The most frequently detected HPV genotypes were HPV 18 (13.3%), HPV 11 (11.4%), HPV 16 (6.9%), HPV 62/81 (5.7%), HPV 39 (4.5%), HPV 51 (3.6%), and HPV 6 (3.6%). Among HPV-positive cases, the prevalence of single, double, triple, and quadruple or higher infections was 83.5%, 14%, 1.8%, and 0.7%, respectively.ConclusionThis study presents novel epidemiological data on the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV infection in Iraq, offering a valuable basis for enhancing cervical cancer screening and HPV prevention strategies. Furthermore, understanding the distribution of HPV genotypes may support the implementation of targeted vaccination programs.

BackgroundHuman Papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of cervical cancer worldwide. Previous studies on HPV prevalence in Ecuador have presented inconsistent findings due to limited sample sizes and regional foci. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of HPV infection in Ecuadorian women, identifying high-risk HPV genomes and age-related trends, using data from the Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention Program.MethodsData were collected from multiple health centers across Ecuador, particularly focusing on the province of Pichincha, utilizing GeneXpert technology and the Xpert® HPV kit between January 1 and May 31, 2023 were included. The assay reports HPV16, HPV18/45, and pooled channels for 11 HPV types (P3: 31/33/35/52/58; P4: 51/59; P5: 39/56/66/68).ResultsOf 16,197 valid tests, 1,776 were HPV-positive, yielding a prevalence of 11.0%. Women aged 30–39 were the most affected demographic, accounting for 39.7% of positive cases. The most common HPV genomes identified were 31/33/35/52/58, constituting 42.3% of HPV-positive women (P3 pooled). The prevalence of multiple HPV genome infections was 13.8%.ConclusionsThe study provides a more nuanced understanding of HPV prevalence in Ecuador, indicating that HPV rates are lower than previous national studies but higher than global estimates. The results lay essential groundwork for targeted public health interventions and suggest the need for future research to address methodological limitations.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-025-12333-z.

Genotypic spectrum and prevalence of HPV associated with cervical cancer in Palestine.

Women living with HIV (WLHIV) face a six-to-tenfold increased risk of cervical cancer due to higher HPV prevalence and persistence. Despite an estimated 1.05 million WLHIV in India and a vast National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) network, no organized cervical screening exists within this infrastructure. This pilot implementation project aimed to demonstrate a feasible and efficacious model for integrating cervical cancer prevention services, including HPV screening and a 'see and treat' approach, for WLHIV within or near ART centres in hard-to-reach Indian settings. A total of 368 WLHIV aged >21 years on ART from three centres were invited. 314 (85.3%) were screened using the COBAS 6800 high-risk HPV test. HPV-positive women were recalled for colposcopy using a portable digital device. A 'see and treat' approach was applied, using thermal ablation or LLETZ for minor/major lesions suggestive of precancer in field clinics. 76 of 314 screened women (24.2%) tested positive for high-risk HPV. 65 of 76 HPV positive women (85.5%) complied with colposcopy and treatment. Histology from these 65 women showed 17 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), 23 low-grade SIL (LSIL), and 2 invasive cancers. The overall prevalence of HSIL or worse lesions was 5.7% among screened WLHIV. High participation was observed despite logistical challenges. The study confirms the significant burden of cervical neoplasia in WLHIV and demonstrates the feasibility and importance of integrating HPV screening and 'see and treat' services within or near existing ART centres using portable technologies. Leveraging the extensive NACP network offers a strategic opportunity for nationwide implementation, crucial for cervical cancer elimination efforts in this high-risk population.

IntroductionPatients with human papillomavirus-related gynaecological diseases (HPV-RGD) are at risk of synchronous HPV infections in other regions, including the anal canal. The primary objective of this work was to examine the prevalence of anal HPV in patients treated for HPV-RGD. Secondary objectives were to test HPV type distribution and the risk of anal infection depending on the HPV-RGD localization.MethodsA prospective study was conducted with two groups: the research group, histologically confirmed HPV-RGD, and the control group, gynaecological diseases not related to HPV (all human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative). The swabs for HPV genotyping and liquid cytology (Anyplex II HPV HR Detection test) were collected from the anal canal (both groups) and the area of gynaecological disease (research group).ResultsThe prevalence of anal HPV infection in the research group (n = 130) was significantly higher than in the control group (n = 100) (64.62% vs. 11%, p < 0.05). All patients with vulva cancer (n = 7) and vaginal precancer (n = 6) exhibited anal HPV infection (p < 0.05). The risk of anal infection in patients with cervical cancer and precancer was 64% and 61.9%, respectively (both p < 0.05). The most common HPV types detected in the anus were 16 (53.6% of all anal HPV-positives), followed by 31 (17.9%) and 51 (14.3%). In 84.5% of cases, the same HPV type was present in the anus and gynaecological organ.ConclusionsPatients with HPV-RGD, HIV-negative, are at risk for synchronous anal HPV infection, with type 16 being the most common. Further research is warranted to define the clinical significance of this finding and the introduction of anal cancer screening among patients with HPV-RGD.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT06574087.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40121-025-01272-6.

The current World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for cervical cancer screening utilizing HPV DNA testing is now being endorsed by the Mozambican Ministry of Health (MOH). Initial studies showing the feasibility of screening in the Mozambican context have been encouraging, with women participants reporting a preference for self-collection approaches. A high HPV prevalence among women living with HIV/AIDS will result in a significantly higher number of women requiring follow up, many of whom can receive thermal ablation at the primary level to avoid creating bottlenecks for those who require specialized follow up. Studies designed to evaluate best practices for implementation among a high-risk, lower-resourced population within Mozambique´s already busy HIV care and treatment services are needed to provide the evidence required national scale-up this approach. The overall aim of this study is to evaluate implementation best practices for deploying a Screen-Triage-Treat approach to cervical cancer screening and management utilizing self-collected HPV DNA testing among HIV-infected women in care within select health facilities of Chókwè District, Mozambique. The main objectives are 1) to develop an in-depth understanding of the HPV Screen-Triage-Treat care cascade within HIV care and treatment based on a collaborative, exploration-focused process with local stakeholders; 2) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Screen-Triage-Treat approach utilizing self-collected HPV DNA testing; and 3) to use the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to identify factors that explain site- and provider-level variation in the implementation of the Screen-Triage-Treat approach to cervical cancer screening and management. This study will contribute to the literature related to cervical cancer screening and management, and to implementation science by providing information on how screening and management can be implemented within the high-volume HIV care and treatment clinics of Mozambique. Studies that generate evidence on barriers and facilitators to the uptake of this approach, and that identify context-specific implementation strategies are important for large-scale adoption. The knowledge gained from this study will be used to assist decision makers in determining a course of action for increasing cervical cancer screening and management coverage, optimizing the intervention's impact, and translating our findings into evidence-based programming. NCT06810739 (Protocol ID: 2024-1641). Registered 04 February 2025, at https://clinicaltrials.gov/.

Using a retrospective cohort of 21,282 individuals aged 10–89 years (634 males, 20,648 females) from Jilin Province between October 2017 and September 2019, we performed HPV genotyping and colposcopy-directed biopsy to delineate age- and genotype-specific infection patterns. High-risk HPV prevalence peaked in adolescence (≤ 18 years) and declined thereafter, whereas low-risk types showed modest age trends (P < 0.001); women had higher rates than men at every age (P < 0.001). HPV16, 18, 33 and 58 were strongly linked to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or cervical cancer, with adjusted ORs (Model II) of 2.41, 0.53, 2.32 and 1.72, respectively. A U-shaped, nonlinear age relationship emerged, with infection risk threshold ages (fold K) at 26, 42, 30 and 37 years. These findings indicate that HPV vaccination and screening should prioritize women ≤ 26 years and re-engage those > 37 years.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12985-025-02963-9.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of HPV infection among women in different regions of Ukraine. Materials and methods. An analysis of data from the Quintip Recordati database, containing 195 records, was performed using frequency analysis methods. The distribution of different HPV strains among the women surveyed, who live in different regions, was determined. An analysis of the frequency of seropositive results depending on the degree of urbanisation was performed. The main ways of preventing HPV infection were identified. Results. It was found that the number of positive tests accounted for 38.5% of the total sample. When comparing the frequency of detection of high-oncogenic strains, it was found that they are more often registered in cities with larger populations. Conclusions: 1. The prevalence of HPV in the women examined is twice the European average. 2. The frequency of detection of highly oncogenic HPV strains is higher in urbanised regions. 3. Widespread implementation of HPV screening methods in Ukraine could significantly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer

Objective.To systematize the morphological characteristics of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in the context of human papillomavirus infection (HPV)-associated pathology through a literature review and analysis of clinical and morphological data.Materials and Methods.The study included 40 cervical biopsy specimens obtained from patients with precancerous cervical conditions examined at the Department of Pathological Anatomy, University Medical Center. Histological evaluation was performed using hematoxylin–eosin staining. Clinical and laboratory data were integrated, including Pap smear results, HPV genotyping, and screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).Results.HPV type 16 was the most frequently detected genotype (14 cases). Coinfections with two HPV genotypes were observed in 9 patients (e.g., 16 and 45, 18 and 51), while 3 patients had triple infections. Sixteen cases were HPV-negative. High-grade CIN (CIN 2, CIN 3, or carcinoma in situ) was diagnosed in 19 of 40 patients (47.5%), even though cytology revealed only low-grade lesions (LSIL) or atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). Additionally, 4 cases (10%) with NILM (negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy) on cytology demonstrated CIN I–II on histology. STIs were identified in 26 patients (65%), predominantly Gardnerella vaginalis (55%), followed by Cytomegalovirus (17.5%), Candida albicans (10%), and Mycoplasma hominis (7.5%), including mixed infections. These findings indicate a high prevalence of HPV and concurrent STIs among patients with CIN, as well as notable discrepancies between cytological and histological diagnoses, particularly in the presence of inflammatory processes.Conclusions.The study underscores the limitations of cytological screening and the importance of comprehensive diagnostic strategies combining morphological, clinical, and molecular methods. Standardization of morphological criteria for CIN is essential, particularly in HPV-associated and inflammation-related contexts, to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient management.Keywords:cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, HPV, cytology-histology correlation, sexually transmitted infections, morphology.

IntroductionHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a significant public health concern globally, with its burden increasing in regions with limited access to screening and preventive measures. Understanding how HPV affects different populations is crucial, genetic background, behavioral factors, sexual health practices, co-infections, and access to screening and vaccination services significantly influence disease dynamics, prevalence of high-risk genotypes, and progression to malignancies such as cervical cancer. Such variations underscore the importance of region-specific epidemiological studies and serve as key predictors which can impact the well-being of the population. The study aims to investigate the prevalence and burden of HPV and its association with different risk factors among the indigenous Mizo women of Mizoram, Northeast India.MethodThis cross- sectional study was conducted among 1018 women age (20–73 years) from November 2023 to 2024 from different districts in Mizoram. Cervical swabs were collected in VTM after obtaining consent from the patients as well as the demographic and clinical data via a questionnaire. DNA-based HPV genotyping and Pap smear analysis were performed. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS version 22.0 software to determine the association between HPV and the risk factors.ResultsOut of the 1018 participants, findings revealed a 14.9% overall prevalence of HPV infection, with most participants being from the district capital, Aizawl (78.7%). Age group 51–60 years age group had a notable proportion of HPV-positive individuals (11.5%), they exhibited significantly lower odds of HPV infection compared to younger age groups (OR = 0.155, 95% CI: 0.038–0.632; p = 0.009). Most participants were married (93.3%) with 78.5% being housewives. Among different occupations, participants employed in government sectors have a higher odds ratio 1.898 of HPV infection suggesting potential occupational or lifestyle-related influence on infection risk. Key lifestyle factors such as betel nut consumption and early sexual debut are associated with increased infection risk. Cervicitis, chronic pelvic pain and multiple pregnancies were significant clinical indicators. Ingestion of oral contraceptives were less likely to be HPV positive than were those who did not ingest them (OR: 0.604, Cl: 0.399–0.915; p = 0.017). Pap smear results revealed associations with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (p = 0.025). Genotypes HPV-16 (26.97%) and HPV-18 (17.11%) were the most prevalent genotypes. Approximately 23.4% of the patients presented with multiple genotype infections.ConclusionThis study underscores the importance of tailored public health strategies for high-risk regions such as Mizoram. These include promoting HPV vaccination, enhancing screening programs, and addressing sociocultural practices contributing to infection risk. While the cross-sectional design, female-only participation, and lack of follow-up limit causal interpretation and generalizability. Comprehensive interventions and awareness campaigns are crucial to mitigate the HPV burden and reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in this unique sociodemographic context.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-025-11529-7.

PurposeHigh-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) types are the primary cause of cervical and anogenital cancers. Understanding patterns of persistence, clearance, and re-infection is essential, as persistent infections contribute to precancerous and invasive lesions. This study evaluated hr-HPV infection dynamics and genotype specific outcomes over two years among Ethiopian women.Patients and MethodsA cohort of 893 women aged 30–49 years was followed for two years using self-collected samples for multiplexed hr-HPV genotyping by BSGP5+/6+ PCR. Women testing positive were re-evaluated at 6 and 24 months with HPV genotyping, Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) and cytology. Persistent infection was defined as continuous HPV DNA presence over consecutive visits, while clearance indicated no detectable virus. Re-infection occurred if a cleared HPV type reappeared, or a new type was detected.ResultsAfter six months, 26.3% had persistent infections, while 73.7% cleared the infection. After two years, 13.2% experienced persistence, and 86.8% cleared their infections. Among women who tested negative at baseline, 74 were re-tested and showed hr-HPV incidence of 4.05% after 24 months. Genotype persistence rates varied, with HPV68, 82, 53, 52, and 56 showing the highest persistence after six months. After 24 months, HPV59, 68, 66, 52, and 16 had the highest persistence. Additionally, 29.9% of women at six months had abnormal cytology, including Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), which was 10.3% of those tested.ConclusionThe findings show that most hr-HPV infections among rural Ethiopian women cleared within two years, with varying persistence and clearance rates across HPV types. This emphasizes the need for regular monitoring and targeted prevention in high HPV prevalence populations.

HPV profiles in Botswana: An analysis of healthy women, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, and invasive cervical cancer☆

BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is a primary causative agent of cervical cancer, accounting for more than 90% of cases worldwide. Epidemiological data on regional HPV prevalence and genotype distribution are critical for tailoring targeted cervical cancer prevention strategies, particularly in regions with limited population-based studies.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate temporal trends in the prevalence of overall HPV infection and vaccine-targeted HPV genotypes among females in Xiamen between 2016 and 2023 using annual cross-sectional analyses.MethodsWe analyzed retrospective deidentified data from 63,553 females who underwent HPV genotyping of cervical exfoliated cells at Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Xiamen University from 2016 to 2023. Data on HPV genotyping, age, and detection time were collected from the hospital’s electronic information system. For each year, we conducted a cross-sectional assessment of HPV infection status to calculate annual HPV prevalence. Temporal trends of HPV prevalence were analyzed across 3 pandemic periods (prepandemic: 2016‐2019, pandemic: 2020‐2022, and postpandemic: 2023) and by age groups.ResultsThe overall HPV prevalence was 25.24% (16,039/63,553), comprising high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) at 19.26% (12,242/63,553) and low-risk human papillomavirus (LR-HPV) at 10.08% (6409/63,553). Vaccine-targeted HPV prevalence rates were bivalent human papillomavirus at 3.56% (2264/63,553), quadrivalent human papillomavirus at 5.89% (3746/63,553), and nine-valent human papillomavirus at 13.64% (8666/63,553), respectively. Notably, the number of non–vaccine-targeted HPV genotypes accounted for 16.01% (10,177/63,553) of all tested females and 63.45% (10,177/16,039) of HPV-positive cases. The top 5 HR-HPV genotypes were HPV52 (3000/63,553, 4.72%), HPV58 (1895/63,553, 2.98%), HPV53 (1582/63,553, 2.49%), HPV16 (1461/63,553, 2.30%), and HPV39 (1116/63,553, 1.76%), while HPV81 (1407/63,553, 2.21%), HPV61 (1268/63,553, 2%), and HPV6 (1101/63,553, 1.73%) were the most prevalent LR-HPV genotypes. Temporal analysis revealed significant declines in the prevalence of overall HPV, HR-HPV, LR-HPV, bivalent human papillomavirus, quadrivalent human papillomavirus, nine-valent human papillomavirus, and specific genotypes (HPV52, HPV58, HPV16, HPV39, and HPV6) from 2016 to 2019 to 2023 (all P<.001). Conversely, HPV81 prevalence increased significantly in 2023 compared to 2020‐2022 (2.44% vs 1.96%; P<.001). Age-stratified analysis of HPV prevalence showed a significant declining trend with increasing age (P<.001), with peak prevalence observed in the ≤20-year age group.ConclusionsCervical HPV infection, particularly non–vaccine-targeted genotypes, remains a substantial public health burden in Xiamen, highlighting the urgency to develop broader spectrum vaccines, to enhance cervical cancer screening programs, and to implement age-specific interventions, specifically for females aged ≤20 years. Long-term surveillance of emerging HPV genotypes and vaccination coverage is recommended.

Background/Objectives: To assess overall and type-specific HPV vaccine effectiveness in central and eastern Europe (CEE), the age-stratified prevalence of cervical HPV infection was determined among Slovenian women aged 20 to 64 attending a cervical cancer screening program 14 years after implementation of a national HPV vaccination program, which was then compared with 2009–2010 pre-vaccination data using the same methodological approach. Methods: Cervical samples of 4419 women were tested in 2023–2025 using the clinically validated Alinity m HR HPV Assay, and individual HPV types were determined by the Allplex HPV HR Detection assay. Results were compared with 2009–2010 pre-vaccination data generated using the same assay on an age-range matched cohort of women. Results: The overall prevalence of the 14 Alinity-targeted HPV types was 10.0% in 2023–2025 versus 13.3% in 2009–2010 (p < 0.001). HPV16 prevalence declined from 3.5% to 1.5% (p < 0.001), and HPV18 prevalence from 1.1% to 0.5% (p = 0.005). In women aged 20 to 24 with 40% uptake of quadrivalent HPV vaccine, overall HPV prevalence dropped from 25.3% to 12.8% (p < 0.001). No single case of HPV16/HPV18 infection was detected among vaccinated women. Conclusions: The first large-scale, systematic, and methodologically consistent study of HPV vaccine effectiveness in CEE showed a substantial reduction in high-risk HPV prevalence after implementation of the national program, with the greatest decline among women aged 20 to 24, who harbored the highest HPV burden in the pre-vaccination era. These locally acquired data will considerably inform public health strategies on cervical cancer elimination in CEE.

BackgroundPersistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer. Understanding genotype distribution and evaluating screening strategies are essential for effective prevention.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed cervical cancer screening data from 97,686 women aged 35–64 years in Nanjing (2021–2023). Among these, 30,147 underwent combined cytology and HPV testing and 67,539 TCT alone. HPV genotyping was further performed in 3,362 histologically confirmed cervical cancer cases (3,014 squamous cell carcinomas [SCC] and 348 adenocarcinomas [ADC]) from multiple regions in China.ResultsCombined screening achieved a significantly higher detection rate of abnormalities than TCT alone (13.70% vs. 1.79%, p < 0.001). Overall HPV positivity was 11.19%, increasing with age and peaking at 16.85% in women aged 60–64. The most frequent genotypes were HPV52, HPV58, and HPV16. In cervical cancer cases, HPV was detected in 92.73% of SCC and 59.77% of ADC. The proportion of HPV-negative cancers increased with age, particularly in ADC.ConclusionsCombined TCT and HPV testing improves detection of cervical lesions compared with cytology alone. The observed age-specific and histology-specific differences in HPV prevalence and genotype distribution emphasize the need for tailored screening strategies, particularly for older women. These findings provide region-specific evidence to support the refinement of cervical cancer prevention and control strategies in China, particularly in contexts with similar demographic and epidemiological characteristics to the study population.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12985-025-02943-z.

ObjectiveThis population-based study investigated longitudinal changes in the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV across the pre-pandemic (2017-2019), pandemic (2020-2022), and post-pandemic (2023-2024) periods in Western China.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 129,585 women, stratified into three chronological cohorts: pre-pandemic (n=40,044), pandemic (n=43,717), and post-pandemic (n=45,824) cohorts. Cervicovaginal specimens were analyzed via real-time PCR-based genotyping to detect 16 high-risk and 7 low-risk genotypes. Age-specific prevalence patterns were evaluated across six demographic strata (<20 to ≥60 years). Age-standardized prevalence rates were calculated using 2020 Chinese census data as a reference population.ResultsThe total HPV prevalence decreased from 31.59% before the pandemic to 23.28% during the pandemic, stabilizing at 21.45% after the pandemic. Nonvaccine-targeted HR-HPV subtypes (HPV-52, HPV-58) maintained persistent dominance across all phases, with the prevalence of HPV-52 decreasing from 6.00% before the pandemic to 3.00% after the pandemic. Adolescents (<20 years) presented the lowest infection rates, whereas peak rates were reported for women aged 40-49 years.ConclusionsThe sustained reduction in total HPV prevalence is potentially associated with pandemic-related behavioral modifications and healthcare disruptions. The persistent circulation of nonvaccine-targeted subtypes highlights gaps in current prevention strategies. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive surveillance integrating catch-up screening and genotype-specific vaccine development to address post-pandemic HPV transmission dynamics.