Prevalence and determinants of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in a cohort of HIV-positive individuals in Italy.
BACKGROUND
Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections may be a risk factor for the transmission of HIV. Data on the prevalence of HSV-2 infection among HIV-positive individuals are scarce.


OBJECTIVE
The goal was to study the seroprevalence of and risk factors for HSV-2 infection among a cohort of Italian HIV-positive individuals.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study. HSV-2 serologic testing was performed for individuals with known date of HIV seroconversion, on the serum specimen obtained on the date closest to the estimated date of seroconversion. Antibodies to HSV-2 (anti-HSV-2) were detected by a gG2-specific ELISA.


RESULTS
A total of 380 HIV-positive individuals were tested for anti-HSV-2; 126 (33.2%) of them were positive. Older age at HIV seroconversion and homosexuality were significantly associated with HSV-2 infection in the multivariate analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
These data stress the need for including anti-HSV-2 testing and therapy in the management of HIV positivity, especially for reducing the risk of transmission of HIV through herpetic lesions.
Suligoi
Barbara
B
Reparto AIDS e MST, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. suligoi@iss.it
Dorrucci
Maria
M
Volpi
Antonio
A
Andreoni
Massimo
M
Zerboni
Roberto
R
Rezza
Giovanni
G
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral