title: Acceptance and outcome of herpes simplex virus type 2 antibody testing in patients attending an STD clinic--recognized and unrecognized infections.
abstract: The majority of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) genital infections are asymptomatic. We wanted to evaluate the acceptance of HSV-2 antibody testing among people attending an STD clinic and to estimate, after counselling, the percentage of recognized and unrecognized HSV-2 infections. First visitors to an STD clinic were invited to participate by answering a questionnaire and taking a blood test for HSV-2 antibodies. HSV-2 seropositive individuals, who were unaware of having genital herpes, were offered an HSV-2 counselling visit and follow-up. Of 1769 patients offered testing, 57% accepted. Of 152 (15%) HSV-2 seropositive individuals, 41% had a self-reported history of genital herpes, approximately 30% had genital symptoms and 30% had no genital symptoms. The percentage of patients reporting genital symptoms was much higher in HSV-2 seropositives (45%) without a history of genital herpes than in an HSV-2 seronegative group (28%). HSV-2 antibody testing should be performed generously in all cases of uncharacteristic genital symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden. gun-britt.lowhagen@vgregion.se
authors.forename: Gun-Britt
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Löwhagen
authors.forename: Matilda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berntsson
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonde
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tunbäck
authors.forename: Ingela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Krantz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral