Prevalence and Genotype Distribution of Human Papillomavirus Among Attendees at a Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinic in Urban Tianjin, China

Abstract

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is linked to various cancers in males and females. The prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV vary depending on geographical region and the immunity provided by vaccines. Investigation of HPV epidemiology is of great meaning for the development of prevention programs.

Methods

From January 2017 to September 2019, using PCR-reverse dot blot hybridisation, we determined the HPV subtypes in 2801 patients 17–89 years old at the sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital.

Results

The HPV infection rate was 50.79% in males and 50.64% in females. The most common HPV genotype in males and females was HPV6 (30.15% and 30.43%), followed by HPV16 (18.76% and 20.65%) and HPV11 (14.61% and 15.67%). Infection with a single HPV subtype predominated in both males and females, and the rate in males was higher than in females. By contrast, the rate of high-risk HPV (hrHPV) and low-risk HPV (lrHPV) mixed infection in females was higher than in males. Most HPV-positive patients were 20–39 years of age. The prevalence of infection with only hrHPV differed among the age groups; the peak age was 50 to 59 years.

Conclusion

The HPV prevalence was higher among the STD clinic outpatients than the general population. Therefore, a large-scale survey of high-risk populations is needed. It is anticipated that HPV vaccines, regular education and physical examinations may have a significant impact on the prevention of HPV-related diseases in high-risk groups.

Keywords:

• human papillomavirus
• prevalence
• genotyping
• HPV vaccination

Statement of Ethics

The research was performed in accordance with relevant guidelines/regulations and written informed consent was obtained from all participants or their legal guardians. This study was approved by Ethics Committee of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital (NO. IRB2020-WZ-143) and conducted ethically in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki.

Acknowledgment

We sincerely thank the staff of the Department of Dermatovenereology clinic, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital for their support to sample collection.

Disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, and not-for-profit sectors.