Recovery of immune control over herpes simplex virus type 1 in female victims of intimate partner violence.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the course of immune control over Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) through three salivary measures: neutralization of HSV-1, levels of specific antibody against HSV-1 (HSV-1-sIgA) and total immunoglobulin A (total sIgA), and to determine the factors that contribute to its recovery or deterioration. Several studies have demonstrated that intimate partner violence (IPV) affects immune responses in women, but none have investigated the impact longitudinally over time.


METHODS
Women (n = 60), who participated in our previous cross-sectional study (T-1) and who had been either physically/psychologically (n = 22) or psychologically abused (n = 14) by their partners, were evaluated 3 years later (T-2). A control group of women (n = 24) was included for comparison. Saliva samples were collected twice a day (8 AM-9 AM, and 8 PM-9 PM) on 2 days spaced 2 weeks apart. Information about psychological and lifestyle variables was obtained by structured interviews.


RESULTS
Physically/psychologically abused women had a significant improvement in both the capacity to neutralize HSV-1 and HSV-sIgA levels, and at T-2 the capacity of their saliva to inhibit virus was no longer different from the other two groups. Regression analysis indicated that the cessation of physical IPV was the main predictor of this recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that recovery of immune control over HSV-1 is possible in women who had been exposed to physical/psychological IPV despite an initially low antiviral capacity. Other longitudinal studies are needed to determine which factors best predict the restoration of physical and emotional well-being in order to design more effective intervention programs.
Sanchez-Lorente
Segunda
S
Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
Blasco-Ros
Concepcion
C
Coe
Christopher L
CL
Martinez
Manuela
M
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000276:immunology* / Q000523:psychology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000502:physiology*; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013995:Time
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory