Seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in Barbados.
Type-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, based upon recombinant glycoprotein G (gG), were used to detect antibodies to HSV-1 and HSV-2, in a small Caribbean island population. A blinded serosurvey was performed on samples from 184 blood donors, 122 pregnant women, and 120 HIV-positive patients. The seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 was 81% and 34%, respectively, in blood donors, 84% and 40% in the antenatal population and 89% and 77% in the HIV-positive group. As expected the majority of adults were seropositive against HSV-1. However, the HSV-2 seroprevalence was significantly higher in HIV-infected adults than in the other groups. These findings support the need for prospective epidemiological studies in this population.
Levett
P N
PN
University of the West Indies, School of Clinical Medicine and Research, Cave Hill, Barbados. plevett@health.gov.sk.ca
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001460:Barbados / Q000453:epidemiology; D001782:Blood Donors; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral