Does Co-Infection with HPV 16 Have a Worse Effect on Cervical Pathology than HPV 16 Alone?

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the presence of other HPV genotypes in addition to HPV16 infection has a negative effect on pathological outcomes.

This retrospective study was conducted using data from patients followed up at the Gynaecological Oncology Clinic of Antalya Training and Research Hospital between 2017 and 2025. Patients who were HPV16-positive and also carried other genotypes in addition to HPV16 were included in the study. HPV genotyping was performed using the Hybrid Capture 2 and CLART Genomica systems.

Of the total 2,700 HPV (Human Papillomavirus) -positive women, 524 were HPV16-positive only, while 358 were positive for HPV16 along with other genotypes. Histopathological results, including CIN 2/3, HSIL, and invasive cancer, did not show significant differences between the two groups (p>0.05). However, abnormal colposcopy findings were statistically more prevalent in the co-infection group (p=0.037). Cigarette smoking was associated with a 1.27-fold increased risk for co-infection (p=0.026).

The findings of this study indicate that HPV16 is the primary determinant in the development of high-grade cervical pathology, and the presence of other high-risk HPV types does not significantly worsen histopathological outcomes. The results support the importance of a risk-based approach in cervical cancer screening processes and emphasize the need to prioritise early diagnosis and preventive interventions in HPV16-positive individuals.