title: Herpes simplex virus type 2 infection as a biomarker for sexual debut among young people in sub-Saharan Africa: a literature review.
abstract: Biological markers are needed in order to provide objective measures to validate self-reported sexual behaviour and interpret prevention trial data. In this review, we evaluated herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2), one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections in sub-Saharan Africa as a biological marker of sexual debut. Based on our findings, we do not recommend using HSV-2 as a biomarker for sexual debut due to its low transmission probabilities and the fact that HSV-2 prevalence is not 100% among potential sexual partners. We recommend that the validation of alternative biological measures should be prioritized, and included in future studies and trials of interventions to reduce sexual health risk.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Domus Medica, Sognsvannsveien 9, 0372 Oslo, Norway. s.l.bastien@medisin.uio.no
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bastien
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mason-Jones
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Koker
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Mmbaga
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mathews
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers