Predictors of seropositivity to herpes simplex virus type 2 in women.
Five hundred and twenty consecutive women newly attending a genitourinary medicine clinic who participated in a study of sexual behaviour were also tested for type-specific antibody to herpes simplex virus type 2; 135 (26%) were seropositive, of whom only 29 (21.5%) had had clinical evidence of genital herpes. Seropositive women were much more likely to have a past history of genital herpes (odds ratio [OR] 173). They were also more likely to be black non-UK born (OR 14), aged 30 years or over (OR 6), to have had 6-20 sexual partners (OR 3-4), especially from abroad (OR 12), to be unemployed (OR 6) or blue collar workers (OR 4), to have smoked cigarettes (OR 2) and to have practised peno-anal penetration (OR 5). Disease predictors included a past history of pelvic inflammatory disease (OR 63) and bacterial vaginosis (OR 3). Unexpected predictors were only one sexual partner (OR 5) and no non-regular partners (OR 5). Commencing intercourse before 16 years of age showed a protective effect (OR 0.2) and so did use of oral contraception (OR 0.5). Our findings show that infection with HSV-2 is associated with a wider range of morbidity and also emphasize the role of male sexual partner selection in the transmission of infection.
Evans
B A
BA
Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital, Hammersmith, London W6 8RP, UK.
Kell
P D
PD
Bond
R A
RA
MacRae
K D
KD
Slomka
M J
MJ
Brown
D W G
DW
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral