Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus-2 infection among women seeking medical care for signs and symptoms of vaginitis.
Two identically designed studies were conducted to determine the prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection and viral shedding among women with no known history of genital herpes or HSV-2 seropositivity, who sought care at a US-based obstetrics/gynaecology clinic because of recurrent signs and symptoms of vaginitis. Samples comprised 50 women of any race (All-Comers Sample; Study 1) and 49 black women (Black Sample; Study 2) diagnosed at the clinic visit with vaginitis on the basis of standard work-up and medical history. In the All-Comers Sample, 15 (30%) women were HSV-2 seropositive and two (4%) were positive for HSV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR); these two patients were also HSV-2 seropositive. Therefore, among patients seropositive for HSV-2, two (13%) were shedding virus at the time of the clinic visit. In the Black Sample, 25 (51%) were HSV-2 seropositive and two (4%) were PCR positive for HSV-2. Factors associated with HSV-2 seropositivity included age >30 years, erythema on pelvic examination, age < or = 15 years at first intercourse and having more than four lifetime sexual partners. The high prevalence of HSV-2 infection in these samples underscores the need to test for HSV-2 infection in women consulting with signs and symptoms of vaginitis.
Ross
Sharon E
SE
Ob/Gyn Specialists of the Palm Beaches, PA., West Palm Beach, FL 33401, USA. SharonR@obgyn2000
Carter
Belvia
B
Lambert
Seraphine
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D044469:Racial Groups; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000821:virology*; D017201:Virus Shedding
D000914:Antibodies, Viral