Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection is a necessary cause of cervical cancer, while its prevalence and genotype distribution show substantial regional variation. This study aimed to characterize HR-HPV infection among women in Beijing and provide region-specific epidemiological evidence for local prevention strategies. Methods This retrospective analysis included 42,379 women who underwent cervical HPV genotyping at Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, from March 2016 to December 2024. Fifteen HR-HPV genotypes were detected using fluorescent PCR. Age-specific infection patterns were assessed across seven age groups, and viral load was categorized into three levels. The study period was divided into three phases based on the temporal progression of the COVID-19 outbreak: pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic. Results The overall HR-HPV prevalence was 19.91% (8,438/42,379). HPV52 (20.17%), HPV58 (12.61%), and HPV16 (11.84%) were the most common genotypes. Single-type infections predominated (75.09%), while multiple-type infections accounted for 24.91%, with HPV52 + HPV58, HPV52 + HPV16, and HPV52 + HPV51 being the most frequent combinations. Age distribution showed a bimodal pattern, with peaks at 20–29 years (38.53%) and 60–69 years (29.55%). Moderate viral load was most common (40.08%); HPV31 and HPV16 had the highest proportions of high viral loads, while HPV52 displayed a "high prevalence–low viral load" pattern. High viral load proportion increased with infection complexity. Annual prevalence ranged from 17.9% to 22.0%, with the lowest rate in 2020. Across pandemic phases, overall prevalence was 20.53%, 19.40%, and 19.88%, while multiple-type infection rates declined consecutively from 27.39% to 21.65%. Conclusions HR-HPV infection in Beijing women is characterized by predominance of HPV52, HPV58, and HPV16, a bimodal age distribution, and genotype-specific viral load profiles. The pandemic-associated decline in overall prevalence and sustained decrease in multiple-type infections underscore the importance of targeted vaccination and screening strategies in the post-pandemic era.</p>