title: Epidemiology of orofacial herpes simplex virus infections in the general population in France: results of the HERPIMAX study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prevalence of clinically manifest orofacial herpes in the general population is poorly characterized. Objectives To establish the lifetime prevalence of clinically manifest orofacial herpes and its relationship with herpes simplex virus (HSV) serotype in the French general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects (N = 2796) were serotyped for HSV1 and HSV2 and provided data on herpetic symptoms by questionnaire. Subjects reporting at least one episode of orobuccal ulcerative mucosal lesions were classified as clinically manifest orofacial herpes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lifetime prevalence of clinically manifest orofacial herpes was 38.3% (42.1% in women, 32.4% in men). Prevalence in subjects seropositive for HSV1 was 50.3%. This prevalence rate was independent of HSV2 serotype. Prevalence in subjects infected with HSV2 alone was similar to that in subjects seronegative for HSV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lack of case ascertainment limits precision of the data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinically manifest orofacial herpes was reported in one third of the sample, principally associated with HSV1 infection. HSV2 infection did not produce orofacial lesions nor influence clinical manifestations of HSV1 infection.
authors.affiliation: Département des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux and Centre René-Labusquière, Université de Bordeaux II, Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Malvy
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ezzedine
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lançon
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Halioua
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rezvani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bertrais
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chanzy
authors.forename: J-E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Malkin
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morand
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Labareyre
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hercberg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El Hasnaoui
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006560:Herpes Labialis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013283:Stomatitis, Herpetic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires