Baseline data on distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV-) genotypes in cervical samples of gynecological patients before implementation of population-based HPV- vaccination program in Polande implementation of population-based HPV vaccination program in Poland.

Abstract

Objectives: Free-of-charge vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV-) of 12-13-year-old teenagers was introduced on the 1st of June 2023 in Poland. Data on baseline HPV- genotype cervical distribution are crucial to evaluate potential changes after full implementation of the vaccination program. We aimed at evaluating the status of HPV- infection and distribution of HPV- genotypes in cervical cytology of gynecological patients tested in one of the largest HPV- laboratories in Poland.

Material and methods: Data on all HPV- tests performed in ALAB Laboratoria Sp. z o. o. in Poland in 2018-2021 were analyzed, focusing on tests that identified genotypes: 6, 11, 16, 18, 26, 31, 33, 35, 39, 40, 42, 44, 45, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, 59, 61, 62, 66, 67, 68, 70, 73, 81, 82, 83, 89. Distribution of HPV- genotypes was assessed among HPV--positive women.

Results: Among 11.151 medical records retrieved in women with valid HPV- test results, 5.681 were positive (50.9%), of whom 2.929 were infected with a single genotype (51.6%). At least one high-risk (HR) genotype was detected in 4.351 women (76.6%). Among all HPV--positive women, the most common HR genotypes were HPV--16, HPV--31 and HPV--66 (24.0%, 11.3%, 11.3%, respectively). HPV--53 was the most prevalent among non-HR types (10.5%).

Conclusions: HPV--16 followed by HPV--31 and HPV--66 were the most frequent genotypes in the studied cohort. These results may be compared with the same methodology after full roll-out of HPV- vaccination program in the future to track potential changes in HPV- genotype distribution.