Human Papillomavirus Positivity and Genotype Distribution Among Korean Females: A Large-Scale Laboratory-Based Analysis.

Background/

Objectives

Human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype distribution is an important epidemiologic indicator for guiding public health surveillance, yet large-scale, laboratory-based data among Korean females remain limited, particularly following the incorporation of HPV vaccination into the National Immunization Program in 2016. This study evaluated HPV positivity and genotype distribution among clinically tested Korean females using a large-scale laboratory-based dataset.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 530,808 HPV genotyping results from Korean females tested between 2014 and 2022 using the Anyplex™ II HPV 28 Detection system (Seegene, Seoul, Republic of Korea). Specimens were classified as high-risk (HR), low-risk (LR), or multiple-type infections, and the proportion of specimens containing at least one HR genotype not included in the 9-valent vaccine was determined.

Results

The overall HPV positivity rate was 44.4%, with a U-shaped age distribution. HPV 52 was the most frequently detected genotype (7.2%), followed by HPV 53 (6.3%) and HPV 58 (5.1%). Multiple-type infections were identified in 45.4% of HPV-positive specimens, and 24.4% of specimens harbored at least one HR genotype not included in the 9-valent vaccine.

Conclusions

This large-scale laboratory-based analysis provides updated epidemiologic data on HPV positivity and genotype distribution among clinically tested Korean females. As this cohort reflects clinically tested rather than population-based specimens, these findings should be interpreted as descriptive observations that support continued surveillance of circulating HPV genotypes.