Changing epidemiology of genital herpes simplex virus infection in Melbourne, Australia, between 1980 and 2003

Abstract

Objective: To investigate changes in the proportions of patients infected with genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 from 1980 to 2003 in Melbourne, Australia. Methods: A total of 25 372 patients were studied retrospectively. The proportions of HSV-1 and HSV-2 detected in these individuals were analysed by age, sex, and genital site. Results: In 1980 only 15.8% of HSV positive genital specimens were HSV-1 compared to 34.9% in 2003. In 2003 HSV-1 was detected in 77% of patients aged less than 20 years. Females were more likely to be infected with HSV-1, although the rate of increased detection was more pronounced in males. Except for females over the age of 40, the trend for the increase in HSV-1 was detected in all age groups. No specific genital site in either sex was associated with the increase. Conclusions: The proportion of genital HSV-1 has increased in Australian patients, although HSV-2 is still the most common cause of genital infection. Confirmation of HSV type is necessary for optimal patient management.

Effector CD4+T-Cell Involvement in Clearance of Infectious Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 from Sensory Ganglia and Spinal Cords

“…While seroprevalence of HSV-1 in the United States appears to be declining, the actual number of genital herpes cases attributed to HSV-1 is on the rise (50,67). Several reports note an increase in the number of genital herpes cases caused by HSV-1, a phenomenon seen in developed nations including the United States (34,46,52,64,67). Although HSV-2 is typically thought of as the virus responsible for causing genital lesions, the current trend in the United States, especially among adolescents, finds HSV-1 as the most common cause of newly diagnosed genital HSV infections (50).…”

Herpesvirus Entry Mediator and Ocular Herpesvirus Infection: More than Meets the Eye

“…erpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infects the majority of the world's population by adulthood and is responsible for the vast majority of ocular herpesvirus infections (1)(2)(3). In humans and mice, HSV-1 establishes lifelong latency in the trigeminal ganglia (TG) (4,5).…”

HIV/AIDS: Management of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Infection in HIV Type 1–Infected Persons

“…Pending the outcome of studies that are underway, the use of suppressive acyclovir to decrease HIV-1 transmission or improve the clinical course of the HIV-1 infection may become additional important reasons for early diagnosis of HSV-2 infection in HIV-infected persons. HSV-1 has been reported to be an increasingly more common cause of primary genital herpes, particularly among men who have sex with men [57] and young persons [58][59][60]. However, genital HSV-1 reactivates much less frequently then genital HSV-2 [61][62][63]; although it is still possible that HSV-1 (oral or genital) has interactions with HIV that are similar to those for HSV-2, such data are lacking at this time.…”

“…Observational data indicate that genital ulcer disease, the majority of which is due to HSV-2 infection, increases the probability of HIV-1 transmission by ∼4-fold on a per-contact basis among monogamous HIV-1-discordant heterosexual couples from Rakai, Uganda, after controlling for serum HIV-1 RNA level in the index partner [118]. Although HSV-1 infection is increasingly common as a cause of primary genital herpes in the developed world [57][58][59][60], its interactions with HIV-1 shedding and infectiousness have not been well characterized.…”