title: [Herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 in Switzerland].
abstract: A worldwide increase in the incidence of genital herpes infections has been described in recent years. Transmission of the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) by asymptomatic seropositive subjects is considered to be a relevant mode of infection. The seroprevalence of HSV-2 varies considerably between different populations. In Europe, data are scarce and the epidemiological situation in Switzerland is unknown. In 1997 we performed serological examinations in 151 adult volunteers (87% between 20 and 49 years of age) of a low-risk population from the region of Basel with no history of genital herpes or any other sexually transmitted disease. The overall seroprevalence of HSV-1 was 77% and an annual seroconversion rate of 4.6% (95% CI: 3.8-5.6) was estimated for both sexes. Of the 51 subjects with no symptoms of orolabial herpes, 25 (49%) proved to be HSV-1 seropositive. In contrast, of 91 patients with symptoms of orolabial herpes, 90 (97%) had serum antibodies against HSV-1. The seroprevalence of HSV-2 was 14.6% for women (n = 89) and 8.1% for men (n = 62). The annual seroconversion rate was estimated to be 0.61% (95% CI: 0.14-1.4) for women and 0.49% (95% CI: 0.09-1.4) for men for the period after 1985 (when "safer sex" and the use of condoms were promoted). Our results indicate the significance of herpes simplex virus type 2 infections in Switzerland. More detailed studies are needed to describe the epidemiology of HSV-2 infections more reliably, especially in view of progress in the development of vaccines against HSV infections.
authors.affiliation: Infektiologie-/Vakzinologie-Zentrum, Universitäts-Kinderspital beider Basel.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Laubereau
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zwahlen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Neuenschwander
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Heininger
authors.forename: U B
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Schaad
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Desgrandchamps
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral