scholarly journals Genital Herpes: Review of the Epidemic and Potential Use of Type-Specific Serology

1999 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhoda L. Ashley ◽  
Anna Wald
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Herpes Simplex Virus ◽  
Herpes Simplex ◽  
Genital Herpes ◽  
Specific Antibody ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
The Status ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
Antibody Tests ◽  
Potential Use

SUMMARY Prevention of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections is desirable from both a public health standpoint and the patient’s perspective. A key factor in the spread of genital herpes infections is the high proportion of undiagnosed infections. Persons with subclinical or unrecognized infections are best diagnosed by accurate, type-specific antibody tests. Unfortunately, these tests are only now becoming widely available. The use of current, conventional (non-type-specific) serologic tests for diagnosis of herpes infections has resulted in confusion and misdiagnosis of patients. This review provides recent information on the epidemiology of genital herpes infections, describes the importance of subclinical herpes infection and shedding, summarizes the status of HSV type-specific serologic assays being developed, and provides indications for using such assays.

Asymptomatic shedding of herpes simplex virus from the genital tract: uncertainty and its consequences for patient management

1996 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 229-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
S E Barton ◽  
P E Munday ◽  
R J Patel
Keyword(s):  
Herpes Simplex Virus ◽  
Herpes Simplex ◽  
Genital Herpes ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Patient Management ◽  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Supportive Counselling ◽  
History Of ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
The Relationship

A frequent component of the management of patients with genital herpes concerns the possibility of asymptomatic shedding and potential sexual transmission of the virus. Approaches intended to provide supportive counselling and reassurance of patients about these issues need now to be modified in the light of increasing data of the frequency of asymptomatic detection of virus and the effects of antiviral therapy on this phenomenon. Further studies to delineate the relationship between asymptomatic detection of HSV in the genital tract and the mechanism of sexual transmission of this virus need to be conducted before clinicians instigate antiviral suppressive treatment primarily to prevent sexual transmission of HSV. However, it is important that the new data and our greater understanding of the natural history of genital herpes is translated into accurate and comprehensible information for our patients.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 2 in Latin America and the Caribbean: systematic review, meta-analyses and metaregressions

2021 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2021-054972
Author(s):  
Manale Harfouche ◽  
Haifa Maalmi ◽  
Laith J Abu-Raddad
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Herpes Simplex Virus ◽  
Herpes Simplex ◽  
Genital Herpes ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
General Populations ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
Meta Analyses

ObjectiveTo characterise epidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in Latin America and the Caribbean.MethodsHSV-2 reports were systematically reviewed and synthesised, and findings were reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Meta-analyses and metaregressions were conducted.Finding102 relevant reports were identified including 13 overall incidence measures, 163 overall (and 402 stratified) seroprevalence measures, and 7 and 10 proportions of virus detection in genital ulcer disease and in genital herpes, respectively. Pooled mean seroprevalence was 20.6% (95% CI 18.7% to 22.5%) in general populations, 33.3% (95% CI 26.0% to 41.0%) in intermediate-risk populations, 74.8% (95% CI 70.6% to 78.8%) in female sex workers, and 54.6% (95% CI 47.4% to 61.7%) in male sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender people. In general populations, seroprevalence increased from 9.6% (95% CI 7.1% to 12.4%) in those aged <20 years to 17.9% (95% CI 13.6% to 22.5%) in those aged 20–30, 27.6% (95% CI 21.4% to 34.2%) in those aged 30–40 and 38.4% (95% CI 32.8% to 44.2%) in those aged >40. Compared with women, men had lower seroprevalence with an adjusted risk ratio (ARR) of 0.68 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.76). Seroprevalence declined by 2% per year over the last three decades (ARR of 0.98, 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99). Pooled mean proportions of HSV-2 detection in GUD and genital herpes were 41.4% (95% CI 18.9% to 67.0%) and 91.1% (95% CI 82.7% to 97.2%), respectively.ConclusionsOne in five adults is HSV-2 infected, a higher level than other world regions, but seroprevalence is declining. Despite this decline, HSV-2 persists as the aetiological cause of nearly half of GUD cases and almost all of genital herpes cases.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document