A seroprevalence study of herpes virus type 2 infection in Israeli women: implications for routine screening.
The aim of the study was to obtain data on the prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in selected populations of women and to identify groups that might benefit from routine prenatal screening. The prospective seroprevalence study was performed in 1,921 women in Israel during the period 1986-90. Four different population groups of women 17-60 years old were included. Groups 1 and 2 comprised 1,214 healthy female government employees and kibbutz and moshav residents, and Groups 3 and 4 comprised 707 Jewish and non-Jewish women with gynecological complaints. HSV-2 antibody in the sera were studied by the microneutralization method. In the healthy women (groups 1 and 2), the prevalence of antibodies to HSV-2 was 2-3%. Genital HSV-2 asymptomatic shedding was 1%. In the women with gynecological complaints (groups 3 and 4) the prevalence of antibodies to HSV-2 was 10% in Jewish and 16% in non-Jewish women. These data support the conclusion that there is no justification for routine prenatal HSV-2 screening in Israel in a healthy female population.
Infectious Disease Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
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M
Isacsohn
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Bar On
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Y
Yaeger
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Smetana
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Weiner
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Slater
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007585:Jews; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral