HSV2 and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: cytological, histological and serological features

An epidemiological investigation on the incidence of HSV2 infection in 1216 women with acute or recurrent vulvovaginitis was performed. HSV2 research was carried out by means of clinical, cytological, colposcopic, histologic examinations and vaginal pad cultures and antibody titration. Of the patients examined, 12.6% presented signs of genital herpes; among the diagnostic techniques used, the most reliable proved to be the serological method. Incidence of HSV2 was higher among women in the under privileged social classes, those who had sexual relations with different partners and those who were multiparous. A higher percentage of dysplastic and/or neoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix among HSV2 positive (P less than 0.025) with respect to controls was also found. A higher incidence of neoplastic pathologies among women who are positive for HSV2 was therefore confirmed.