Human Papillomavirus Genotypes in the Korean Older Adult Population Running Head: HPV Genotypes in Korean Older Adults

Abstract

In older populations, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections are likely to reactivate owing to immunocompromised, thereby increasing the risk of cervical and other cancers. However, research on HPV infection in older adults is limited and data on the sex- and age-specific distribution of high-risk HPV types are lacking. Thus, to increase the level of evidence on the extension of cervical cancer screening in older adult women and preventing and managing HPV infection in older adult populations, we investigated HPV positivity and co-infection rates by age and HPV type in Korean older adults. From January 2020 to July 2023, DNA extraction and real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to determine HPV types in 1,167 individuals (84 men aged 69.8±5.05 years; 1,083 women aged 69.97±4.40 years) referred to a specialized laboratory. In both sexes, HPV positivity rates were higher in those aged 75-99 years than in those aged 65-74 years, although the difference was not statistically significant (men: χ² = 0.0333, p>0.05; women: χ² = 0.5122, p>0.05). High-risk HPV positivity rates were the highest for type 16 in men and type 52 in women. More single infections were observed than co-infections, although the difference was not statistically significant. For men and women aged ≥65 years, the single infection positivity rates were 32.1-21.1%, respectively, whereas co-infection positivity rates were 28.6-18.3%, respectively. Older adults require specific infection-prevention practices for healthy sexual behavior. Regular HPV infection screening is necessary for not only younger and middle-aged individuals but also older adults.