OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence and correlates of infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) among sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attenders, we studied the prevalence of antibodies to HSV-2 and their association with risk behaviour. METHODS: Data were collected in a cross-sectional study among STD clinic attenders in Amsterdam. Seropositivity for HSV-2 was determined in 1798 serum samples by means of a monoclonal antibody-blocking enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: The prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies was higher than expected: 32.3% in a population in which 3% had current genital herpes and 8% gave a history of genital herpes. Of those with HSV-2 antibodies, only 18% had a history of genital herpes. A strong independent association with the presence of HSV-2 antibodies was found for sexual behaviour, more specifically: homosexual orientation, increasing number of years of sexual activity, increasing number of lifetime partners, number of past gonococcal infections, having receptive anal and (or) vaginal contact. CONCLUSION: The presence of HSV-2 antibodies had a strong association with past sexual behaviour and, for both sexes, with receptive anal intercourse. HSV-2 antibodies may be used as a surrogate marker of sexual risk behaviour in comparing different populations over time.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence and correlates of infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) among sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attenders, we studied the prevalence of antibodies to HSV-2 and their association with risk behaviour. METHODS: Data were collected in a cross-sectional study among STD clinic attenders in Amsterdam. Seropositivity for HSV-2 was determined in 1798 serum samples by means of a monoclonal antibody-blocking enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: The prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies was higher than expected: 32.3% in a population in which 3% had current genital herpes and 8% gave a history of genital herpes. Of those with HSV-2 antibodies, only 18% had a history of genital herpes. A strong independent association with the presence of HSV-2 antibodies was found for sexual behaviour, more specifically: homosexual orientation, increasing number of years of sexual activity, increasing number of lifetime partners, number of past gonococcal infections, having receptive anal and (or) vaginal contact. CONCLUSION: The presence of HSV-2 antibodies had a strong association with past sexual behaviour and, for both sexes, with receptive anal intercourse. HSV-2 antibodies may be used as a surrogate marker of sexual risk behaviour in comparing different populations over time.
Authors: H B Wang; K Smith; K S Brown; G X Wang; D F Chang; J J Xu; G W Ding; X Jin; K H Reilly; N Wang Journal: Epidemiol Infect Date: 2010-11-15 Impact factor: 2.451
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Authors: Hoa Van Le; Victor J Schoenbach; Rolando Herrero; Anh Thi Hoang Pham; Hieu Trong Nguyen; Thuy Thi Nguyen; Nubia Muñoz; Silvia Franceschi; Salvatore Vaccarella; Max D Parkin; Peter J F Snijders; Rhoda Ashley Morrow; Jennifer S Smith Journal: Sex Transm Dis Date: 2009-10 Impact factor: 2.830
Authors: Junia Rodrigues; Beatriz Grinsztejn; Francisco I Bastos; Luciane Velasque; Paula M Luz; Claudia T V de Souza; Ingebourg Georg; Jose H Pilotto; Valdilea G Veloso Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2009-04-01 Impact factor: 3.090