Prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV and cervical pathological results in Sichuan Province, China: a three years surveys prior to mass HPV vaccination

Abstract Background HPV persistent infection is a strong carcinogenic factor that can induce cervical cancer. Investigation of HPV epidemiology and genotype distribution is of great meaning for the development of cervical cancer prevention and control strategies. Methods By using PCR-based hybridization gene chip assay, HPV genotype was detected from 14,185 women that came from HEC (Health Examination Center) or OGOC (Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinics) between 2015 and 2017 in Sichuan area. The epidemiology and genotype distribution as well as the relationship between HPV infection and histology/cytology abnormalities were analyzed. Results The positivity rate of HPV was 23.84%. The HPV-positive rate of OGOC group (37.62%) was significantly higher than that of HEC group (15.29%), p < 0.05. The prevalence of HPV reached peak at age 41–50 (5.86%) in HEC group, but at age 21–30 (14.74%) in OGOC group. Of all the HPV positive women, single genotype infection was the most common form in both HEC and OGOC group (62.06% in total screening population, 74.36% in HEC group and 54.01% in OGOC group). Three most prevalent HPV types were HPV-52 (5.02%), 58 (3.61%), and 16 (3.24%) in total screening population. Of all the HPV positive women, the top three types were HPV-52 (20.93%), CP8304 (15.32%), and 58 (14.42%) in HEC group, while were HPV-52 (21.14%), 16 (16.34%), and 58 (15.61%) in OGOC group. HPV 52/16/58 accounted for 41.84% of cytology and 56.52% of histological abnormalities. Conclusions Women in Sichuan area were facing the great threat of HPV infection, especially the women aged between 21 ~ 30 or 41–50 years old. The priority HPV types were HPV 52, 58, and 16 in OGOC group, while were HPV 52, CP8304, and 58 in HEC group. HPV 52/16/58 accounted for the majority of cytology and histological abnormalities. Our analysis was found to be valuable for providing a scientific basis for the prevention and control strategies of cervical cancer in Sichuan area.