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Herpes simplex type 2 infection in a cohort aged 21 years
J Eberhart-Phillips1, N P Dickson, C Paul
1Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
|December 16, 1998
Summary
The prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) antibodies was low in 21-year-old New Zealanders. HSV-2 serology was not a sensitive marker for high-risk sexual activity in this young adult population.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) pose a significant public health challenge.
- Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a common STD with lifelong implications.
- Understanding HSV-2 prevalence in young adults is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies in a New Zealand birth cohort at age 21.
- To evaluate HSV-2 serology as an indicator of sexual risk behaviors in young adults.
- To inform public health interventions for STD prevention.
Main Methods:
- Sera from 784 cohort members were analyzed for HSV-2 antibodies using an indirect IgG enzyme-linked immunoassay targeting glycoprotein G.
- Positive immunoassay results were confirmed using western blot analysis.
- Detailed sexual histories were collected from participants.
Main Results:
- The seroprevalence of HSV-2 infection was 3.4% (27 out of 784 subjects).
- Only 26% (7 out of 27) of seropositive individuals reported a history of genital herpes.
- Female risk correlated with the lifetime number of partners; male risk correlated with early first sexual partner age.
Conclusions:
- The seroprevalence of HSV-2 in this cohort is low but comparable to other populations of similar age.
- HSV-2 seropositivity did not effectively identify high-risk sexual activity in this young population.
- A potential reason for the low sensitivity is the insufficient accumulation of HSV-2 carriers among potential partners by age 21.