High throughput HPV genotyping by next generation sequencing for detection of 28 HPV types and 13 sexually transmitted infections: A first community-based cervical cancer screening study from India
High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection is the primary cause of cervical cancer. However, conventional PCR-based assays provide limited HPV genotyping, and cytology alone has low sensitivity for detecting subclinical infections. Comprehensive molecular approaches are needed to better characterize HPV genotypes and co-infections in community screening settings. This study evaluated the analytical performance of a next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based HPV-STI assay in comparison with the clinically validated Roche Cobas The NGS assay showed high agreement with the Cobas A substantial proportion of women with abnormal cytology in this community cohort harboured non-HPV16 and HPV18 high-risk infections, highlighting the importance of extended HPV genotyping. NGS-based HPV genotyping was concordant with the comparator assay used and had simultaneous STI identification, supporting its potential utility as a comprehensive tool for community-based cervical cancer screening and risk stratification.