Herpes simplex virus epidemiology and ocular importance.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections present a significant global health challenge.
• Ocular herpes simplex disease is a leading cause of corneal blindness and visual impairment worldwide.
• Changing patterns in HSV epidemiology may influence the incidence and presentation of ocular disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolving epidemiology of herpes simplex disease.
• To correlate these changes with the epidemiology of ocular herpes simplex disease.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review of global literature on herpes simplex epidemiology.
• Specific focus on studies detailing ocular herpes simplex disease.
• Analysis of data from major studies like the Herpetic Eye Disease Study.

Main Results:

• Increasing rates of genital herpes simplex infections in adolescents and adults, with approximately 1 in 6 US adults infected.
• Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly acquired at older ages and is a significant cause of genital herpes.
• Ocular herpes simplex disease shows trends toward older age of onset and potentially more severe presentations.

Conclusions:

• Genital herpes is a growing epidemic, with implications for neonatal herpes and HSV-1 acquisition patterns.
• The shift in HSV epidemiology, particularly HSV-1, necessitates a re-evaluation of diagnostic approaches.
• Future trends in ocular herpes simplex disease are anticipated based on current epidemiological shifts, with potential links to HSV-2 in conditions like acute retinal necrosis syndrome.