Herpes simplex type 2 infection in a cohort aged 21 years.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies in a birth cohort of 21 year old New Zealanders from whom detailed sexual histories had been obtained, and to assess the potential for HSV-2 serology in characterising a young adult population's risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STD).


METHODS
Sera from 784 cohort members were tested using an indirect IgG enzyme linked immunoassay specific to the HSV-2 glycoprotein G. Positive results were confirmed by western blot.


RESULTS
In all, 27 subjects were seropositive for HSV-2 (3.4%), only seven of whom gave a history of genital herpes (26%). Risk among females increased with lifetime number of partners, while risk for males increased with having a first partner who was aged 16 years or under.


CONCLUSIONS
The seroprevalence of HSV-2 infection in this cohort was low, but similar to that seen in several other populations in this age group. HSV-2 seropositivity did not appear to be a sensitive marker for high risk sexual activity in this young population. This may be because a critical mass of HSV-2 carriers has not accumulated among potential partners by age 21 years.
Eberhart-Phillips
J
J
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Dickson
N P
NP
Paul
C
C
Fawcett
J P
JP
Holland
D
D
Taylor
J
J
Cunningham
A L
AL
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners
D000914:Antibodies, Viral