Prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 and Risk Factors Associated With This Infection in Women in Southern Brazil

Abstract

SUMMARYThe herpes simplex virus type 2 (HVS-2) is the most prevalent infection worldwide. It is a cofactor in the acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV). This study evaluated the prevalence of HSV-2, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and associated factors in patients treated at the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG) and Basic Health Units (BHU) in Rio Grande, Brazil. The observed prevalence of HSV-2 was 15.6%. Among the 302 women studied, 158 had received assistance in BHU and 144 were treated at FURG. The prevalence of HSV-2 in these groups was 10.8% and 20.8%, respectively, RR 1.9 and p = 0.012. Knowledge about the Pap smear, and the presence of lesions showed no association with HSV-2 infection. Multivariate analysis showed that the variable that most influenced the risk of HSV-2 infection was the presence of HIV infection, with a relative risk of 1.9 and p = 0.04. Discussion: Genital ulcers are an important entry point for HIV, and condom use is an important strategy to reduce transmission of HIV and HSV-2.

Seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2 and Coinfection With HIV and Syphilis

“…23 Herpes simplex virus type 2 is a predictor for incident HPV infection likely because it is also a marker for high-risk sexual activity. 24,25 A study of STI clinic attendees in India found that 30% of HSV-2-positive patients had coinfection with HIV-1, 22% had syphilis, and 7.4% had coinfection with both HIV and syphilis. 26 One study from a hospital in Saudi Arabia reported that the rate of HIV infection in HSV positive women between 2003 and 2011 was 13.1%.…”

Sexual behavioural correlates of herpes simplex virus type 2 infections among pregnant women in South-western Nigeria

“…This is in agreement with other studies, which show that HSV-2 sero-positivity is associated with a greater number of lifetime sexual partners and multiple sexual partners within six months to the time of the study. 3,7,12,[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] In the present study, women with more than one lifetime sexual partners were 2.4 times more likely to have HSV-2 infection than those with one lifetime sexual partner. This is similar to some other studies which observed that women with more than one lifetime sexual partners were twice as likely to have HSV-2 antibodies, than those with one partner.…”

“…7 Sexually transmitted infections were also strongly associated with acquisition of HSV-2 infection and similar findings have been reported by some authors. 23,[25][26][27] The results of the index study re-emphasize the primary role of multiple sexual partners in the acquisition of HSV-2 infection. This is in agreement with other studies, which show that HSV-2 sero-positivity is associated with a greater number of lifetime sexual partners and multiple sexual partners within six months to the time of the study.…”

Immunohistochemical and Polymerase Chain Reaction Study on Expression of HPV and HSV and Its Histopathological Pattern Correlation in Cervical Lesions

“…Women with HPV had an HSV-2 rate of 12.5%, whereas in the HPV-negative group the rate was 15%. Similarly, Thaís Duquia Moraes Caldeira 35 found no association between HPV and HSV co-infection nor a higher risk of intraepithelial lesions in the HSV-2 positive group.…”