Prevalence of HSV-2 antibody in a Melbourne antenatal population attending a tertiary obstetric hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) seroprevalence rate in a Melbourne antenatal cohort.


METHODS
Prospective collection of serum and questionnaires in 1371 women attending an outpatient antenatal clinic.


METHODS
A tertiary obstetric hospital in metropolitan Melbourne.


METHODS
Women aged 18 years or older attending an antenatal clinic appointment.


METHODS
Seroprevalence rate of HSV-2 using an ELISA-based- type-specific serological assay.


RESULTS
The overall HSV-2 seroprevalence rate in women was 13.6%. Only 0.4% of assays were equivocal and required confirmation by Western blot analysis. By multivariate analysis, HSV-2 seroprevalence was found to be associated with increasing age (odds ratio (OR) 4.63; confidence interval (CI) 1.86, 11.52 for age greater than 40 years), increasing number of sexual partners (OR 4.07, CI 2.13, 7.7 for five or more) and a past history of genital herpes in the index case (OR 5.48, CI 2.77, 10.87) or in a current or previous partner (OR 8.29, CI 4.15 to 16.56).


CONCLUSIONS
HSV-2 seroprevalence rates in Melbourne are comparable to other similar populations in Australia. Routine antenatal screening for HSV-2 is probably not warranted but targeted screening based on numbers of sexual partners or a history of genital herpes in partners may be justified.
Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Infectious Diseases, Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Joe.Sasadeusz@mh.org.au
Joseph John
JJ
Sasadeusz
Julie Elizabeth
JE
Silvers
Helen Elizabeth
HE
Kent
Wayne
W
Devenish
Jane
J
Hocking
Suzanne Marie
SM
Garland
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population
D000914:Antibodies, Viral