Claire E Ryan1, Cassey S Simbiken1, Paul A Agius2, Joyce Allen1, Joyce Sauk3, Petronia Kaima4, Zure Kombati5, Peter Siba1, John M Kaldor6, Andrew Vallely1. 1. Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province 441, Papua New Guinea. 2. Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia. 3. HOPE World Wide, Port Moresby, NCD, Papua New Guinea. 4. Tininga Clinic Mount Hagen General Hospital, Mount Hagen, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. 5. Pathology Department, Mount Hagen General Hospital, Mount Hagen, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. 6. Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
Abstract
UNLABELLED: Background Infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is common worldwide and an important risk factor for HIV infection. Aetiological diagnosis of HSV-2 is typically determined with the use of commercially available type-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HSV-2 among people attending sexual health clinics in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The study also aimed to compare the performance of two type-specific ELISA assays, the Kalon and HerpeSelect glycoprotein G2 assays, in this context. METHODS: Participants were recruited as part of a longitudinal sexual health study. Participants attended four appointments over a 12-month period and had blood taken for HSV-2 serology at each time point. Both the Kalon and HerpeSelect assays were performed as per manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: A total of 132 participants were tested for HSV-2 using the Kalon and HerpeSelect ELISAs. HSV-2 prevalence was 52% (95% CI, 43-60) and 61% (95% CI, 52-69) with Kalon and HerpeSelect assays respectively. There was high concordance (87%, ?=0.75, P<0.001, n=115) between the two assays at the manufacturer recommended index value cut-offs. For participants with discordant results at baseline, (n=16), three sero-conversions were observed over the 12-month period when sequential sera was tested. CONCLUSIONS: A high HSV-2 prevalence was observed in this clinic-based population. Our longitudinal data indicate the higher prevalence of HSV-2 detected with the HerpeSelect ELISA was likely due to false positives rather than a higher sensitivity in the early stages of infection.
UNLABELLED: Background Infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is common worldwide and an important risk factor for HIV infection. Aetiological diagnosis of HSV-2 is typically determined with the use of commercially available type-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HSV-2 among people attending sexual health clinics in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The study also aimed to compare the performance of two type-specific ELISA assays, the Kalon and HerpeSelect glycoprotein G2 assays, in this context. METHODS:Participants were recruited as part of a longitudinal sexual health study. Participants attended four appointments over a 12-month period and had blood taken for HSV-2 serology at each time point. Both the Kalon and HerpeSelect assays were performed as per manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: A total of 132 participants were tested for HSV-2 using the Kalon and HerpeSelect ELISAs. HSV-2 prevalence was 52% (95% CI, 43-60) and 61% (95% CI, 52-69) with Kalon and HerpeSelect assays respectively. There was high concordance (87%, ?=0.75, P<0.001, n=115) between the two assays at the manufacturer recommended index value cut-offs. For participants with discordant results at baseline, (n=16), three sero-conversions were observed over the 12-month period when sequential sera was tested. CONCLUSIONS: A high HSV-2 prevalence was observed in this clinic-based population. Our longitudinal data indicate the higher prevalence of HSV-2 detected with the HerpeSelect ELISA was likely due to false positives rather than a higher sensitivity in the early stages of infection.