An epidemiologic study of herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 infection in Japan based on type-specific serological assays.
A seroepidemiologic study of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) was performed on Japanese adults. Serum samples collected between 1985-9 from a total of 536 healthy adults, female prostitutes, males with sexually transmitted diseases (STD), homosexual men, and pregnant women were studied by immunodot assays using HSV type-specific antigens, glycoproteins G (gG1 and gG2). HSV-1 infections correlated mostly with age and was widely prevalent among subjects < 40 years. HSV-2 prevalence varied greatly among subgroups defined by sexual activity and was associated with risk behaviours for prostitution, infection with STD, and homosexual activity. HSV-2 seroprevalence was highest among prostitutes (80%), lowest among pregnant women (7%), and intermediate in STD patients (23%) and homosexuals (24%). Because HSV-1 infection during childhood has been decreasing, primary genital HSV-2 infection, with its higher frequency of clinical manifestations, will become a greater burden to the public health in Japan.
Hashido
M
M
Infectious Diseases Surveillance Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
Lee
F K
FK
Nahmias
A J
AJ
Tsugami
H
H
Isomura
S
S
Nagata
Y
Y
Sonoda
S
S
Kawana
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001782:Blood Donors; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011477:Sex Work; D012725:Sexual Behavior
D000956:Antigens, Viral