Herpes simplex virus viremia during primary genital infection.
Primary genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is commonly associated with systemic symptoms. A systematic evaluation of HSV viremia during primary genital infection has not been performed previously. Plasma samples from adults with a first clinical episode of genital HSV infection were assayed for HSV DNA by polymerase chain reaction. One hundred sixty-four adults had confirmed primary genital HSV infection. Of these, 40 (24%) had HSV DNA detected in plasma. Thirty-seven (93%) of 40 were infected with HSV-2. Viremic participants were more likely to be women, compared with aviremic participants (83% vs. 61%; P=.01). Viremia was detected more frequently and at a higher number of copies per milliliter early in infection. We conclude that HSV viremia during primary genital HSV infection is common, especially among women.
Johnston
Christine
C
Department of Medicine, Universityof Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA. cjohnsto@u.washington.edu
Magaret
Amalia
A
Selke
Stacy
S
Remington
Michael
M
Corey
Lawrence
L
Wald
Anna
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors; D014766:Viremia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology
D004279:DNA, Viral