Type-specific herpes simplex virus-1 and herpes simplex virus-2 seroprevalence in Romania: comparison of prevalence and risk factors in women and men.
OBJECTIVE
To determine herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 and HSV-1 seroprevalence in women and men in Romania.


METHODS
A cross-sectional seroprevalence survey was conducted between 2004 and 2005 on a total of 1058 women and men representative of the population of Bucharest. All participants were aged 15-44 years and completed a structured questionnaire. A blood sample was collected to detect IgG anti-HSV-1 and HSV-2 serum antibodies using the HerpeSelect ELISA (Focus Diagnostics).


RESULTS
A total of 761 women (median age 29 years) and 297 men (median age 29 years) were included. Overall, HSV-2 seroprevalence (15.2%) increased with age. Among women, HSV-2 seroprevalence increased from 11.0% in 15-19-year-olds to 38.3% in 40-44-year-olds. Among men, seroprevalence increased from 4.0% in 20-24-year-olds to 27.1% in 40-44-year-olds. HSV-2 seroprevalence was significantly higher among women than men (17.0% vs. 10.8%). HSV-1 seropositivity was high (87.2%) in all age groups, with no clear trend by age or by sex. In addition to older age and female sex, risk factors for HSV-2 included greater number of lifetime sexual partners, lower educational attainment, and history of genital vesicles. Lower educational level and rural residence were associated with a higher risk of HSV-1 seropositivity.


CONCLUSIONS
In Romania, HSV-2 seroprevalence was higher in women than men, and was within European limits and lower than that in Africa and the USA. In contrast, HSV-1 seroprevalence was generally higher than that previously recorded in similarly aged populations in Western Europe.
Arama
V
V
Professor Dr. Matei Bals National Infectious Diseases Institute, Bucharest, Romania.
Cercel
A Streinu
AS
Vladareanu
R
R
Mihai
C
C
Mihailescu
R
R
Rankin
J
J
Goschin
S
S
Filipescu
A
A
Rafila
A
A
Arama
S
S
Hristea
A
A
Malkin
J E
JE
Pimenta
J M
JM
Smith
J S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult