Prevalence and risk factors for herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among adolescents and adults in northern Cameroon.
BACKGROUND
A number of surveys have reported a high prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection in south central and east central Africa.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the distribution and modes of HSV-2 transmission in northern Cameroon.


METHODS
A serosurvey was conducted among 194 adolescents and adults in a Cameroon hospital. Antibodies against HSV-2 were detected by a gG2-specific enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay.


RESULTS
The prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies was found to be 37.1%. In the multivariate analysis, female gender, no condom use, a positive syphilis serology, and HIV infection were significantly associated with HSV-2 infection.


CONCLUSIONS
The current findings show that the HSV-2 seroprevalence in northern Cameroon is high and similar to that found in other African countries. HSV-2 infection represents a marker for at-risk sexual behavior and may be a common cofactor for HIV transmission in this geographic area.
Suligoi
B
B
AIDS and STD Unit, Laboratory of Epidemiology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. suligoi@iss.it
Tchamgmena
O
O
Sarmati
L
L
Bugarini
R
R
Toma
L
L
Bakary
D K
DK
Glikoutou
M
M
Rezza
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral