Objective:

To summarize and quantify the developmental dynamics, research hotspots, and future directions of single-cell sequencing in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through bibliometric analysis.

Approach:

• Data Retrieval: Relevant publications from 2015 to 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC).
• Data Analysis: Data were visualized and analyzed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and the Bibliometrix R package.
• Clinical Trials Assessment: Clinical trials were obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov to assess clinical advancements in the field.

Key Findings:

• A total of 148 relevant articles and reviews were included in the study.
• The United States led in publication output, citation counts, and international collaboration.
• Chiarella J, Ho YC, and Wang FS were the most active authors, while Stuart T was the most frequently co-cited scholar.
• Emerging research clusters included 'HPV-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma' and 'HIV-regulating factor', suggesting increased research attention.
• Identified emerging keywords included 'spatial transcriptomics', 'epithelial cells', 'biomarkers', and 'machine learning'.

Interpretation:

The study enhances understanding of research hotspots and emerging directions in single-cell sequencing related to STIs.

Limitations:

• Data for 2025 were incomplete, as only publications indexed up to the search cutoff date (May 1, 2025) were included.

Conclusion:

The bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive summary of the research landscape and advances of single-cell sequencing in STIs, offering references for future research.