Seroprevalences of herpes simplex virus type 2 and Chlamydia trachomatis in Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
Aim was to detect the seroprevalences of Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and Chlamydia trachomatis in a subpopulation of Turkey.


METHODS
The study was performed in the "Golbasi" rural area of Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. Ten milliliter of peripheral blood was drawn from 1,115 women over 15 years old. Once the sera were separated, ELISA was used to detect seropositivity. Data were transferred to Epi Info Version 6.0 statistical program and the analysis was performed.


RESULTS
Among all participants, 53.5% were found to be seropositive for HSV-2 and 52.2% were found to be seropositive for C. trachomatis.


CONCLUSIONS
This study detected a much higher HSV-2 and C. trachomatis seroprevalence for the Turkish population than expected and previously reported. A percentage around 50% for both agents creates an important conflict with the common misbelief of the Turkish population that sexually transmitted diseases are not common in this population. This study points out the importance of preventive measures and the need for greater surveillance for sexually transmitted infections among the Turkish population.
Maral
Işil
I
Department of Public Health, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Biri
Aydan
A
Korucuoğlu
Umit
U
Bakar
Coşkun
C
Cirak
Meltem
M
Ali Bumin
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000914:Antibodies, Viral