Prevalence and risk factors for infection with herpes simplex virus type-1 and -2 among lesbians.
OBJECTIVE
Sexual transmission of bacterial and viral sexually transmitted disease has been reported between women. No data are available on seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and type-2 (HSV-2) among lesbians.


OBJECTIVE
The goal was to define prevalence of infection with HSV-1 and HSV-2 among lesbians, and associated risk factors.


METHODS
Women who reported sex with another woman in the preceding year were eligible. Medical and sexual histories were obtained. Serum was tested for HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies using Western Blot assay.


RESULTS
Among 392 subjects, antibodies to HSV-1 were detected in 46% and to HSV-2 in 8%. Increasing age predicted higher seroprevalence to both HSV types, and HSV-2 seropositivity was associated with a history of male partner with genital herpes. Of 78 women reporting no prior sex with men, 3% were HSV-2-seropositive. Most HSV-2-seropositive subjects (71%) reported no history of genital herpes. HSV-1 seroprevalence increased significantly with an increasing number of female sex partners.


CONCLUSIONS
HSV-2 infection occurs in nearly 1 in 10 lesbians and is not predicted by report of sex with men or sexual identity. Most lesbians infected with HSV-2 are not aware of their infection. Sexual transmission of HSV-1 may occur more frequently among lesbians than among heterosexual women.
Marrazzo
Jeanne M
JM
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. jmm2@u.washington.edu
Stine
Kathleen
K
Wald
Anna
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018452:Homosexuality, Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral