[Seroepidemiology of Herpes simplex virus type 2 in the Amerindian Yukpa population of Zulia state, Venezuela].
BACKGROUND
Yukpa aborigines start early in life their sexual activity and promiscuity with native and foreign individuals is common among women. This behavior allows the installation and propagation of Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).


OBJECTIVE
To determine the presence of antibodies to HSV-2 in a Yukpa Amerindian community at Zulia State, Venezuela.


METHODS
We studied 96 natives, between 13 and 49 years old (62.3% of the whole population, 100% of individuals in fertile age). Control population consisted of 76 individuals, with similar sex and age range distribution, of the urban population from Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela. HSV-2 serologic status was determined by an indirect fluorescent antibody test.


RESULTS
Antibodies to HSV-2 were detected in 53.1% of Yukpa population and 21.1% of urban population. Aboriginal women aged 21 to 40 years old had a prevalence of antibodies against HSV-2 of 66.7%. Among pregnant native women, the prevalence of antibodies against HSV-2 was 54.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high prevalence of antibodies against HSV-2 among Yukpa natives in Venezuela.
Monsalve
F
F
Laboratorio Regional de Referencia Virológica, Escuela de Bioanálisis, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Venezuela. monsalve@luz.ve
Estévez
J
J
Costa
L
L
Salas
M
M
Hernández
M
M
Olaya
J
J
Rodríguez
E
E
Callejas
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000208:ethnology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007199:Indians, South American; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G