Sero-prevalence of Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in Rakai district, Uganda.
BACKGROUND
Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is sexually transmitted and causes one of the genital ulcerative diseases associated with the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1).


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of serological reactivity to a type specific HSV-2 antigen (gG2) ELISA assay.


METHODS
Rakai district, Uganda.


METHODS
Two hundred and one serum samples of persons aged 15-54 years. The samples were randomly selected by a computer programme.


RESULTS
Out of the 201 serum samples selected, 117 (58.2%) had serological evidence of HSV-2 infection. Twenty nine (32.2%) out of the 74 males and 88 (69.3%) out of the 127 females, respectively, had serological evidence of HSV-2 infection giving a female:male ratio of 1.8 (95% CI 1.3-2.4). The most important risk factor for acquisition of HSV-2 in males was found to be age while in the females, the most important risk factors were age and the number of sexual partners in the previous five years.


CONCLUSIONS
HSV-2 was highly prevalent in this rural population of Uganda.
Emonyi
I W
IW
The Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Division of Disease Control, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Gray
R H
RH
Zenilman
J
J
Schmidt
K
K
Wawer
M J
MJ
Sewankambo
K N
KN
Serwadda
D
D
Kiwanuka
N
N
Nalugoda
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology