Abstract
Herpes Simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection is associated with an increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) acquisition and transmission. Individuals co-infected with HIV-1 and HSV-2 may have longer lasting, more frequent and severe outbreaks of herpes symptoms. Previous studies have assessed HSV-2 seroprevalence and associated risk factors in adult populations. However, there is limited data on the HSV-2 seroprevalence among adolescents and youth living with HIV-1. The study aimed to determine the HSV-2 seroprevalence and associated risk factors among adolescents and youth living with HIV-1 at referral hospital setting in Northern Tanzania. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and July 2017 among HIV-1-infected individuals aged 10-24 years attending the Child -Centred Family Care Clinic at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre. Blood specimens from 180 individuals were collected for ELISA-based detection of HSV-2 antibodies. Associations between risk factors and HSV-2 seroprevalence were analysed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. The overall HSV-2 seroprevalence was 18% (32/180). A significant HSV-2 seroprevalence was noted among adolescents and youth, who reported having had sexual intercourse than those who never had sexual intercourse (28.9% vs 13.3%, p = 0.02). Youths aged 20-24 had six folds higher risk of HSV-2 seroprevalence compared to those aged 10-14 years (AOR = 5.97 95% CI 1.31 - 27.19, p = 0.02). Our study found that HSV-2 seroprevalence increased by age among adolescents and youth living with HIV-1. Age-specific approaches might play an important role in interventions targeting HSV-2 infection.
Highlights
Herpes Simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection is associated with an increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) acquisition and transmission
Study participants were adolescents and youth aged 10-24 years living with HIV-1 attending Child-Centred Family Care Clinic (CCFCC) at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) hospital
We found an HSV-2 seroprevalence of 18% in adolescents and youth, relatively higher than that (12.6%) reported in a previous study conducted in Mwanza, Tanzania [24]
Summary
Herpes Simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection is associated with an increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) acquisition and transmission. The study aimed to determine the HSV-2 seroprevalence and associated risk factors among adolescents and youth living with HIV-1 at referral hospital setting in Northern Tanzania. Conclusions: Our study found that HSV-2 seroprevalence increased by age among adolescents and youth living with HIV-1. HSV-2 is a DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family, characterized by short replicative cycles, host cell destruction, and the ability to establish lifelong latency in sensory neural ganglia following primary infection [1]. It is mainly transmitted through genital secretions but can be transmitted from mother-to-child during pregnancy and delivery [2]. It has been shown that HSV-2 infection increases the risk of HIV-1 acquisition and transmission by 2-3 and 4-folds, respectively [10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
