[Herpes simplex virus type 1: a possible sexually transmitted agent among college students].
OBJECTIVE
To study the factors associated with the presence of antibodies against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and to screen for HSV-1 in genital samples.


METHODS
Students answered a survey and provided biological samples (blood and genital discharge). The detection of IgG and IgM antibodies against HSV-1 was performed by an ELISA test. From IgM positive samples we sought and extracted genital DNA and identified a beta-globulin gene and HSV-1.


RESULTS
Eight hundred and fifteen students participated. IgG/HSV-1 seroprevalence was 56.7%, HSV-1 infection was associated with number of sexual partners, exchanging sex for money, same sex relationships and occasional partners. IgM/HSV-1 seroprevalence was 18.2%, 91 samples were positive for human beta-globuline but none for HSV-1 DNA.


CONCLUSIONS
Epidemiological evidence suggests that HSV-1 could be transmitted by sexual contact among college students; however, HSV-1 was not detected in any of the genital samples analyzed. To further test our hypothesis we need to study HSV-1 among high risk groups or increase our sample size.
Corona-Oregón
Enrique
E
Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
Conde-González
Carlos Jesús
CJ
Barrón
Blanca Lilia
BL
Sánchez-Alemán
Miguel Angel
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000635:transmission*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000635:transmission*; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult