  
HSV-2, but not HSV-1, associated with sexual behavior in HIV-infected women
Last Updated: 2001-04-24 11:51:02 EDT (Reuters Health)
WESTPORT, CT (Reuters Health) - Infection with herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is related to sexual behavior, according to results from what is reportedly the first study to describe risk factors for HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies in HIV-infected women.
As part of the prospective European Study on the Natural History of HIV Infection in Women, Dr. Birgit H. B. van Benthem and colleagues, of the Municipal Health Service of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, tested blood samples from 276 women for antibodies against HSV-1 and HSV-2.
The prevalence of HSV-1 antibodies was 76% and the prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies was 42%, the investigators report in the April issue of Sexually Transmitted Infections. Antibodies to both types were present in 30%. A minority of subjects with antibodies reported a history of genital herpes at the time that blood was collected.
Even when analysis included only women younger than 30 years old, the presence of HSV-1 antibodies was not related to sexual behavior. The risk of HSV-2 infection was higher in those with a history of sexually transmitted disease or of prostitution, and the prevalence of HSV-2 infection antibodies increased with number of sexual partners and years of sexual activity.
Recurrence of genital ulceration was observed in 8% of women with CD4+ counts below 200 cells per microliter and in 2% of those with higher CD4+ counts, a significant difference, according to the investigators.
Because the prevalence of HSV antibodies was high among these women and tended to be asymptomatic, efforts should be made to prevent transmission and vertical transmission of both HIV and HSV, Dr. van Benthem's group concludes.
Sex Transm Inf 2001;77:120-124.
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