COVID-19 Pandemic Affects Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Distribution in Eastern China

Strategic Insights -

Research from the Jinan Vocational College of Nursing has investigated the age-stratified prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV among females in Shandong province, eastern China, since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic began in March 2020. The study aimed to provide guidance on HPV-based cervical cancer screening and vaccination. Funded by the Shandong Provincial Nature Science Foundation, Shandong Provincial Nature Foundation, and Shandong Provincial Key Research and Development Program, the research revealed significant findings on HPV genotypes and their distribution among different age groups.

Key Takeaways:

  • The overall infection rate of HPV was 16.4%, with high-risk genotypes dominating the prevalence, led by HPV16 (2.9%), followed by HPV52 (2.3%), HPV53 (1.8%), HPV58 (1.5%), and HPV51 (1.3%).
  • Among the positive cases with HPV infection, single-genotype infection was significantly higher than that of multi-genotype infection.
  • In subgroup analyses by age, HPV16, 52, and 53 were consistently the three most common high-risk HPV genotypes in all age groups.
  • The infection rate of multi-genotypes in the 25 and 55 age groups was significantly higher than that in other age groups.
  • A bimodal distribution of HPV infection rate was observed in different age groups, with HPV6, HPV11, and HPV81 being the three most common low-risk HPV genotypes in the 25 age group.
  • The study provides basic information on the distribution and genotypes of HPV in the female population in eastern China, which could improve the application of HPV diagnostic probes and vaccines.

Statistics:

  • Overall HPV infection rate: 16.4%
  • Prevalence of high-risk HPV genotypes

+ HPV16: 2.9%

+ HPV52: 2.3%

+ HPV53: 1.8%

+ HPV58: 1.5%

+ HPV51: 1.3%

  • Infection rate of multi-genotypes in the 25 age group: 25.6%
  • Infection rate of multi-genotypes in the 55 age group: 21.1%

Sources:

  • Xia, Xiyan, et al. (2023). HPV prevalence and genotype distribution among women in eastern China during the Covid-19 pandemic. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 2212571.
  • NewsRx. (2023). Jinan Vocational College of Nursing Reports Findings in COVID-19 (HPV prevalence and genotype distribution among women in eastern China during the Covid-19 pandemic). China Weekly News. June 6, 2023; p 11.