Painful and multiple anogenital lesions are common in men withTreponema pallidumPCR-positive primary syphilis without herpes simplex virus coinfection: a cross-sectional clinic-based study

Type-specific serologic assays for herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 based on glycoprotein G-1 (gG-1) (HSV-1) and gG-2 (HSV-2) discriminate between antibodies against HSV-1 and HSV-2. We previously developed a Western blot assay using gG-1 and gG-2 expressed in baculovirus, performed extensive validation studies, and determined that it was both sensitive and specific for type-specific detection of HSV antibody. Here we report that, among a cohort of Thai military recruits, the serostatus of some individuals changed from positive to negative over time (6.6% among those ever positive for HSV-1, and 14.9% among those ever positive for HSV-2). We tested a subset of these specimens in three other gG-based assays: an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, an immunoblot strip assay, and a Western blot assay. Positive-to-negative shifts occurred in every assay; the frequency of the shifts ranged from 6.1% to 21.2% of the specimen sets tested. There was only limited agreement among the assays concerning which individuals lost reactivity. This inaccuracy, exhibited by all of the assay protocols, was not predicted by validation studies employing specimens from cross-sectional studies and was most pronounced in HSV-2 testing. This argues for the inclusion of serial blood specimens in serologic assay validation procedures.

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Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and correlates of infection in Jordan

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/09564624211060183 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 095646242110601

Author(s):

Samer F Swedan ◽

Alia’ Darabseh

Keyword(s):

Herpes Simplex Virus ◽

Herpes Simplex ◽

Virus Type ◽

Herpes Simplex Virus Type ◽

Population Estimate ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Simplex Virus ◽

Hsv 1

Background Herpes infections are common infections among populations. Herein, a cross-sectional study was used to determine the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) IgG antibodies and their association with potential infection risk factors among Jordanians. Methods A total of 759 serum samples were collected (January to February 2020) and analyzed for HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgG antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Estimates for population seropositivity were determined by weighting the age-specific seroprevalence by the size of the population in each age stratum. Results The population estimate for HSV-1 seroprevalence was 75.3%. After adjustment for possible confounders, regression analysis revealed higher seroprevalence with increase in age ( p < 0.005) and low household income ( p = 0.002). The population estimate for HSV-2 seroprevalence was 2.9%. No significant differences in HSV-2 seroprevalence were observed in association with age, gender, family size, educational level, and socioeconomic status, likely due to low seropositivity. Conclusions Jordanians have high HSV-1 and low HSV-2 seroprevalence. Periodical studies might be needed to evaluate changes in HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence over time. This study provides essential epidemiological data for Jordan and the Middle East and North Africa region.

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