Abstract # 2069 Regional but not systemic immune parameters relate to neuropsychiatric morbidity in patients with genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection

Abstract

Neuropsychiatric disturbances, including during the prodromal stage of infection, are common among patients with genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. These disturbances are typically interpreted as signs of stress – in a stress-diathesis disease model. The role of immunological triggers in these manifestations is less explored. We examined a role for regional and systemic markers of immune activation in neuropsychiatric manifestations among patients with documented genital HSV infection. Twenty-two patients of an inner-city tertiary sexual health clinic were assessed when herpetic lesions were present, and again when lesions were absent. Measures were also obtained from healthy control subjects. Each assessment included a clinical examination, self-report measures, as well as a blood and urine collection. Markers of immune activation [neopterin and interleukin (IL)-6] in serum and urine were quantified by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Urinary, but not serum, levels of neopterin and/or IL-6 correlated significantly with a spectrum of neuropsychiatric and urogenital symptoms. Symptoms were significantly more severe during active clinical lesions (p