Age-specific prevalence of herpes simplex viruses in Melbourne.
OBJECTIVE
To characterise the epidemiology of anogenital herpes in Melbourne by detailing the age-specific prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and HSV 2.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of 2055 anogenital specimens assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HSV 1 and 2 at Melbourne Pathology from 1 August 2004 to 11 May 2005 was conducted. Results were analysed by age and sex.


RESULTS
PCR demonstrated HSV 1 in 44.1% of all anogenital herpes cases. The relative prevalence of HSV 1 decreased as a function of increasing age. In patients under the age of 20, 18.2% of cases of anogenital herpes were due to HSV 2, as compared with 84.6% in patients over the age of 50.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study population a clear relationship is seen between age and relative frequency of HSV 1 and 2 as a cause of anogenital herpes. HSV 2 accounts for only a small proportion of infections in younger patients.
Melbourne Pathology, Collingwood, Australia. jaknox2@yahoo.com.au
James
J
Knox
Craig
C
Redden
Bernard
B
Walton
Rob
R
Baird
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001004:Anus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult