Predictors of herpes simplex virus type 2 antibody positivity among persons with no history of genital herpes.
BACKGROUND
The demographic, historical, and behavioral factors that predict a positive herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) antibody test in persons without a history of genital herpes have not been well-defined.


METHODS
Individuals (age 14-30 years) without a history of genital herpes completed a questionnaire and were offered free HSV-2 antibody testing. Factors from the questionnaire were correlated with the HSV-2 antibody result.


RESULTS
Univariate analysis showed that female gender was significantly associated with positive test results. In gender-specific, multiple logistic regression models, a positive HSV-2 antibody test among men was associated with older age, non-white race, and a history of sexually transmitted disease (STD). Gender-specific symptom scores from the questionnaire were not predictive in either gender, but the gender-common symptom score was marginally predictive of a positive HSV-2 antibody test in women. Among women, older age, non-white race, and STD history predicted a positive test.


CONCLUSIONS
Among young persons with no history of genital herpes who agreed to HSV-2 antibody testing, increasing age, non-white race, and a history of an STD were predictors of a positive test. A history of frequent pain, itching, burning, and rashes in the anogenital region was marginally associated with positive HSV-2 tests in women. These results might help guide selective use of HSV-2 antibody screening.
Fife
Kenneth H
KH
Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, USA. kfife@iupui.edu
Bernstein
David I
DI
Tu
Wanzhu
W
Zimet
Gregory D
GD
Brady
Rebecca
R
Wu
Jingwei
J
Fortenberry
J Dennis
JD
Stone
Katherine M
KM
Rosenthal
Susan L
SL
Stanberry
Lawrence R
LR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000914:Antibodies, Viral