title: Prevalence of herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 antibodies in patients with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is unknown, even though it is hypothesized that a viral infection could trigger this disorder. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seropositivity rate and antibody level of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV1) and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV2) in children with ASD compared to same-aged healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared seropositivity rate and levels of antibodies to HSV1/2 in 54 children with ASD (19 with autistic disorder and 35 with non-autistic ASD) and in 46 controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seropositivity rate and levels of anti-HSV1/2 were not dissimilar between cases and controls. Exposure to HSV2 was minimal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rate of contact with HSV1 and HSV2 assessed by the mean of detection of specific antibodies was similar between children with ASD and healthy controls.
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery-Section of Infectious Diseases, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy ivan.gentile@unina.it.
authors: Ivan
authors: I
authors: Gentile
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery-Section of Infectious Diseases, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Emanuela
authors: E
authors: Zappulo
authors: Department of Medical Translational Science, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Raffaele
authors: R
authors: Bonavolta
authors: Mental Health and Public Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Maresca
authors: Mental Health and Public Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Maria Pia
authors: MP
authors: Riccio
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery-Section of Infectious Diseases, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Antonio Riccardo
authors: AR
authors: Buonomo
authors: Department of Medical Translational Science, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Portella
authors: Department of Medical Translational Science, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Vallefuoco
authors: Department of Medical Translational Science, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Settimi
authors: Mental Health and Public Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Pascotto
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery-Section of Infectious Diseases, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Guglielmo
authors: G
authors: Borgia
authors: Department of Medical Translational Science, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Carmela
authors: C
authors: Bravaccio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000276:immunology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; HSV1; HSV2; etiopathogenesis