BACKGROUND: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), the primary cause of genital herpes, is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. Epidemiologic serosurveys suggest that infections occur more frequently in women than in men. GOAL: The goal of the study was to identify unique correlates of HSV-2 infection in women that might contribute to their increased susceptibility of infection or suggest opportunities for decreasing the incidence of disease. STUDY DESIGN: We enrolled 1207 women aged 18 to 30 years from three Pittsburgh health clinics in a cross-sectional study. Each woman provided demographic and behavioral information, vaginal swab specimens for bacterial culture, a vaginal smear for Gram stain diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, and blood for HSV-1 and HSV-2 serology. RESULTS: Black race, older age, cigarette smoking, douching, a greater number of lifetime sex partners, a history of intercourse with an uncircumcised partner, the presence of vaginal group B Streptococcus, and abnormal vaginal flora were among the independent predictors of HSV-2 infection. CONCLUSION: HSV-2 infection may be occur more often in women who douche, smoke, have sex with uncircumcised partners, or have bacterial vaginosis; these represent alterable risk factors.
BACKGROUND:Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), the primary cause of genital herpes, is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. Epidemiologic serosurveys suggest that infections occur more frequently in women than in men. GOAL: The goal of the study was to identify unique correlates of HSV-2 infection in women that might contribute to their increased susceptibility of infection or suggest opportunities for decreasing the incidence of disease. STUDY DESIGN: We enrolled 1207 women aged 18 to 30 years from three Pittsburgh health clinics in a cross-sectional study. Each woman provided demographic and behavioral information, vaginal swab specimens for bacterial culture, a vaginal smear for Gram stain diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, and blood for HSV-1 and HSV-2 serology. RESULTS: Black race, older age, cigarette smoking, douching, a greater number of lifetime sex partners, a history of intercourse with an uncircumcised partner, the presence of vaginal group B Streptococcus, and abnormal vaginal flora were among the independent predictors of HSV-2 infection. CONCLUSION:HSV-2 infection may be occur more often in women who douche, smoke, have sex with uncircumcised partners, or have bacterial vaginosis; these represent alterable risk factors.
Authors: Yevgeniy Turovskiy; Richard D Ludescher; Alla A Aroutcheva; Sebastian Faro; Michael L Chikindas Journal: Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins Date: 2009-01-20 Impact factor: 4.609
Authors: Michele N Austin; Lorna K Rabe; Sujatha Srinivasan; David N Fredricks; Harold C Wiesenfeld; Sharon L Hillier Journal: Anaerobe Date: 2014-12-04 Impact factor: 3.331
Authors: John N Krieger; Supriya D Mehta; Robert C Bailey; Kawango Agot; Jeckoniah O Ndinya-Achola; Corette Parker; Stephen Moses Journal: J Sex Med Date: 2008-08-28 Impact factor: 3.802