Abstract
BackgroundThere have been few population-based studies of the seroprevalence and correlates of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) in Japan.MethodsWe enrolled a total of 1244 adults, aged 18–59 years, from a population-based cohort in southern Japan, and tested their serum samples using an ELISA kit containing HSV type-specific antigens to glycoproteins G1 and G2.ResultsThe seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 was 55.4% and 7.4% in men and 63.3% and 9.3% in women, respectively. Overall, 4 percent of the participants (2.3% of men and 5.0% of women) were co-infected with HSV-1 and HSV-2. The seroprevalences of both HSV-1 and HSV-2 increased with age in both sexes, and were always higher among women than among men in each age bracket. The prevalence of HSV-2 infection among HSV-1 infected individuals was lower than that among uninfected individuals, both in men and women. Male current drinkers, and male and female current smokers, were more likely to be infected with HSV-1 and HSV-2, as compared to never drinkers and never smokers, respectively.ConclusionIt is hoped that the estimates produced in this study will help in understanding the burden of these infections in Japan.
Highlights
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and type 2 infections are among the most common infections worldwide,[1] seroprevalence varies widely by country, region within individual countries, and population subgroup.[2]
Our study provides up-todate data, and results that are valid with respect to sample size and sociodemographic correlates
Information on age- and sex-specific prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 is essential to evaluate the burden of genital herpes and to optimize strategies to control it
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and type 2 infections are among the most common infections worldwide,[1] seroprevalence varies widely by country, region within individual countries, and population subgroup.[2]. Two studies reported the seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in Japan,[9,10] but they were based on small subgroups and were not representative of the general population. The objective of the current study was to estimate the age- and sex-specific seroprevalences of HSV-1 and HSV-2, along with their correlates, in a general Japanese population. There have been few population-based studies of the seroprevalence and correlates of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) in Japan. Results: The seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 was 55.4% and 7.4% in men and 63.3% and 9.3% in women, respectively. 4 percent of the participants (2.3% of men and 5.0% of women) were co-infected with HSV-1 and HSV-2.
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