HPV circulation is a key feature for the rational design of prevention and screening campaigns. 36A cross-sectional, virological study was conducted on adult Albanian women living either in the 37 Tirana area or in the Duress prefecture. Clinical and gynaecological evaluations were performed 38 according to current standard criteria. HPV detection and typing were carried out by a combined 39 MY09/MY11 and GP5+/GP6+ PCR followed by direct sequencing of generated amplicons. 40Virological data were obtained from 402 out of 452 patients enrolled between January 2004 and 41December 2007. Sixty-one patients (15.1 % of the cohort) were found to be infected with a genital 42 HPV. As expected, viral prevalence was higher among women younger than 30 years of age 43 (25.2%) in comparison to those aged 30 or older (13.6%). HPV 16 was found to be the most 44 frequent type (41% of cases), followed by HPV 53 (7.2%), HPV 31 (5.8%) and HPV 18 (4.3%). 45 HPV 81 and HPV 84, were the most prevalent low risk types detected with prevalences of 11.6 and 46 5.8 %, respectively. No differences were noted in any type specific prevalence between young and 47 mature women. 48The circulation of HPV types is far more complex than assumed generally. Detailed knowledge of 49 HPV type circulating patterns in specific local geographical areas is essential for appropriate 50 implementation of screening, prevention and surveillance campaigns. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59