Introduction/Background The high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) has been known as the most important carcinogen in uterine cervical carcinoma. Concurrent multiple infections with HR-HPV are prevalent in young women. However, there is limited evidence on the malignant potential of these concurrent multiple infections.

Methodology This study included women aged below 36 years undergone cervical conization from 2012 to 2023. They underwent an HPV test by cervical swab within 12 months prior to the surgery. The HPV test was performed using DNA microarray or real-time polymerase chain reaction. They were divided into two groups: one with a single infection with HR-HPV 16 and the other with concurrent multiple infections with HR-HPVs, including HR-HPV 16. Additionally, they were categorized into two groups based on the pathologic result of conization: one was HSIL+, including high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), carcinoma in situ (CIS), invasive carcinoma, and the other was CIS+, including HSIL, CIS, invasive carcinoma. The ratio of HSIL+ or CIS+ between the groups was analyzed using logistic regression. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).

Results Of the included patients, 76 were found to be infected with HPV 16. The single-infection group consisted of 31 (40.8%), whereas the group with concurrent multiple infections consisted of 45 (59.2%). In the logistic regression used to compare the malignant potential between the groups, no significant difference was observed. For HSIL+, the odds ratio was 1.032 (95% CI = 0.256–4.169, P = 0.964) between the single-infection and concurrent multiple infection groups, whereas for CIS+, it was 0.583 (95% CI = 0.238–1.427, P = 0.238).

Conclusion The malignant potential was not significantly different between concurrent multiple infections with HR-HPVs, including HPV 16, and a single infection with HR-HPV 16 in young Korean women. However, this result should be validated in a larger cohort.

Disclosures The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.