title: Distribution of HIV-1 and HSV-2 epidemics in Chad revealing HSV-2 hot-spot in regions of high-risk HIV spread.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2) is known to be a potent co-factor of Human Immunodeficiency type 1 virus (HIV-1) heterosexual transmission. We were interested in assessing the distribution of HIV-1 and HSV-2 epidemics at the national level in Chad.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2007, a population-based anonymous serosurvey for HIV-1 and HSV-2 infections, using dried blood spots, was conducted. The study included 548 adults living in 15 regions of Chad. After specimen elution, serological testing for HIV and HSV-2 infections was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Countrywide, the HIV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalences were 11.1% and 15.7%, respectively. A positive correlation was observed with the highest HIV-1 prevalence seen in regions of the highest HSV-2 prevalence, especially in two conflict-affected eastern provinces of Darfur.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Urgent public health interventions are needed in regions of Chad where high HSV-2 prevalence may be increasing the risk of HIV propagation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, and Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Paris, France. charlotte.charpentier@bch.aphp.fr
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Charpentier
authors.forename: Donato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koyalta
authors.forename: Montana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ndinaromtan
authors.forename: Bagamla
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tchobkréo
authors.forename: Mohammad-Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jenabian
authors.forename: Nesrine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Si-Mohamed
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bélec
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002596:Chad / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies