Evaluation of malignant potential based on infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses16, 52, and 58 in the uterine cervix

High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is known as the most important carcinogen in uterine cervical carcinoma. Previous studies have evaluated genotype-specific risk for carcinogenesis. However, the genotype-specific risk remains still unclear due to some limitations of those studies. This study aimed to evaluate the malignant potential of the three most prevalent HR-HPVs in Korea. Patients who underwent cervical conization were included. They had received HPV test within a year before the surgery and those exhibiting concurrent multiple infections with HR-HPVs were excluded. Of single infections with HR-HPV, the three most prevalent HR-HPVs were included to analyze. To evaluate their malignant potential, CIS+, including carcinoma in situ (CIS) and invasive carcinoma, was categorized in each HR-HPV group. The ratios of pathologic diagnoses and odds ratios for malignant potential were evaluated between the three most prevalent HR-HPVs. Totally 230 patients were found to have a single infection with HR-HPV16, HR-HPV52, or HR-HPV58. The HPV16 group did not exhibit a significantly more CIS, invasive carcinoma, and CIS + than HPV52 or HPV58. Physicians should pay attention to not only HPV16 but also HPV52 and HPV58 because these genotypes have similar malignant potential. These findings support the need for a nine-valent vaccine against HR-HPVs in Korea.