Prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomaviruses in Sichuan, China

Purpose

To research on infection rates of 18 HPV subtypes by recent years and the age-specific prevalence of HPV and provide a theoretical basis for the development of appropriate preventive care and constructing effective vaccine in Sichuan, China.

Methods

Cervical samples were collected from 48,170 women who underwent routine HPV screening, and HPV subtypes were detected by reverse membrane hybridization.

Results

From 2009 to 2016, the infection rate and the multiple infection rate of HPV were decreased year after year, the average rates were 25.6% (12320/48170) and 7.6% (3637/48170). The most common high-risk HPV subtypes were HPV-16 (17.8%, 2187/12320), followed by HPV-52 (17.4%, 2140/12320) and HPV-58 (12.4%, 1527/12320). HPV-16 (8.0%, 988/12320) also was the most prevalent subtype in the multiple infections. However, the infection rate of HPV-16 (25.1–16.9%) decreased from 2009 to 2016, whereas that of HPV-52 (6.8–26.1%) was obviously raised and ahead of HPV-16 in 2015 and 2016. The relationship curve between age and infection rate was a ‘U’ shape (two peaks at ≤25 group and ≥56 group, 30.2% and 29.8%, respectively; χ ² = 302.382, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In Sichuan, the probability of women infected with HPV was very high. Due to the high infection rates of HPV-52 and HPV-58, the target of prophylactic vaccine design should include HPV-52 and HPV-58. Young and older women in Sichuan should conduct HPV testing and cervical cancer screening on a regular basis. In short, appropriate preventive care and constructing effective vaccine should be based on close monitoring of regional HPV.