Risk factors for herpes simplex virus transmission to pregnant women: a couples study.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to determine risk factors for herpes simplex virus (HSV) acquisition among at risk pregnant women.


METHODS
Women in a prospective study of HSV acquisition in pregnancy invited their sexual partners for HSV type-specific serologic testing. Risk factors for HSV susceptibility, exposure, and acquisition were examined.


RESULTS
A total of 3192 couples enrolled; 22% included women at risk for HSV-1 or HSV-2. Among 582 HSV-1 seronegative women with HSV-1 seropositive partners, 14 (3.5% adjusted for gestation length) acquired HSV-1. Having a partner with a history of oral herpes was associated with HSV-1 acquisition (odds ratio [OR] 8.1, 95% CI: 1.8-36.0) and accounted for 75% of incident infections. Among 125 HSV-2 seronegative women with HSV-2 seropositive partners, 17 (20% adjusted for gestation length) acquired HSV-2. Duration of partnership of 1 year or less was associated with HSV-2 acquisition (OR 7.8, 95% CI: 2.3-25.7) and accounted for 63% of incident infections. No combination of clinical characteristics could identify the majority of susceptible women with serologically discordant partners.


CONCLUSIONS
HSV acquisition rates in pregnancy are high in discordant couples, especially for HSV-2. Interventions that address risk factors for HSV acquisition should be studied in pregnancy. Clinical profiles cannot replace serologic screening to identify susceptible women with serologically discordant partners.
Gardella
Carolyn
C
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-6460, USA. cgardel@u.washington.edu
Brown
Zane
Z
Wald
Anna
A
Selke
Stacy
S
Zeh
Judy
J
Morrow
Rhoda Ashley
RA
Corey
Lawrence
L
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016015:Logistic Models; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral