Abstract
BackgroundHerpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the commonest viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of STIs among HSV positive patients at a tertiary hospital in Jeddah. Secondary objective of the study included the description of the demographic and clinical profile of patients with HSV and HIV co-infection.MethodsA retrospective chart review of the medical records was performed for HSV positive women who presented to the emergency room and outpatient department of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between January 1, 2003 and August 30, 2011. Data were collected from the medical records of all the patients and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.ResultsThree hundred forty-three HSV positive patients were included in this study. Co-infection with HIV was documented in 45 patients (13.1%). Other STIs included chlamydia (n = 43, 12.5%), gonorrhea (n = 44, 12.8%), hepatitis B infection (n = 8, 2.3%), and cytomegalovirus infection (n = 37, 10.8%). Nineteen patients (5.5%) had a total of 47 term pregnancies and five abortions post HSV diagnosis. Genital ulcer disease was diagnosed in 11 (57.9%) of the cases during labor. One newborn developed neonatal herpes infection and subsequently showed delayed psychomotor development during follow up. Genital herpes was diagnosed in one patient’s partner; however, there was no documentation of screening for STIs in the partners of the other patients.ConclusionsSexually transmitted infections are relatively common among HSV positive patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Amongst these, HIV is the most common, with a prevalence of 13.1%. Further studies are warranted to evaluate STIs in Saudi Arabia. Health policy makers should adopt a protocol to screen for STIs in the partners of persons who are positive for any STI as early detection and appropriate treatment can improve the outcome.
Highlights
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the commonest viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Neither have studies been conducted to estimate the prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which has emerged as the principal causative agent of genital herpes in some developed countries as well as in the United States [7]
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of STIs among HSV positive patients at a tertiary hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the commonest viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of STIs among HSV positive patients at a tertiary hospital in Jeddah. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection was reported to be one of the commonest viral STIs. Its incidence continues to rise, especially among. No local studies have been conducted to evaluate the prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2); a cause of most genital herpes; and are almost always sexually transmitted. Neither have studies been conducted to estimate the prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which has emerged as the principal causative agent of genital herpes in some developed countries as well as in the United States [7]
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