Prevalence Of Genital Herpes Research Articles

Prevalence of Genital Herpes and Antiviral Treatment.

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. Contemporary US population-based epidemiologic data on genital herpes are limited. This study aimed to provide nationally representative estimates of genital herpes prevalence and treatment using a large US health insurance claims database. This observational cohort study used administrative claims data from HealthVerity. Crude and age- and sex-standardized prevalence rates of genital herpes and recurrent genital herpes were calculated for the years 2019 to 2021. The distribution of patients with prevalent genital herpes who received episodic or suppressive antiviral therapy was also estimated. From 2019 to 2021, the standardized prevalence of genital herpes and recurrent genital herpes ranged from 236 to 280 cases per 100,000 person-years and 81 to 98 cases per 100,000 person-years, respectively. The prevalence of genital herpes was highest among those aged 25 to 29 years (prevalence range, 497-582 years), female patients (prevalence range, 348-404 years), and those with a history of HIV infection (prevalence range, 1608-2080 years). The prevalence of recurrent genital herpes was also highest in these groups. From 2019 to 2021, two-thirds of patients (65%-68%) with prevalent genital herpes received antiviral medications; the majority received episodic therapy (80%) rather than suppressive therapy (20%). The burden of genital herpes and recurrent genital herpes in the United States is substantial, with the highest rates observed in young adults, women, and immunocompromised individuals. About two-thirds receive antiviral treatment each year.

Prevalence of genital herpes in HIV positive patients attending STI clinic at a tertiary care hospital and its correlation with CD4 counts

Prevalence of genital herpes in HIV positive patients attending STI clinic at a tertiary care hospital and its correlation with CD4 counts

Seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2--United States, 1999-2010

Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are common infections with serious sequelae. HSV-1 is an increasingly important cause of genital herpes in industrialized countries. Using nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we examined HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence among 14- to 49-year-olds in the United States. We estimated seroprevalence in 1999-2004 and 2005-2010, stratified by sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behaviors. We also reviewed HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence from 1976-1980 to 2005-2010. In 2005-2010, the seroprevalence of HSV-1 was 53.9%, and the seroprevalence of HSV-2 was 15.7%. From 1999-2004 to 2005-2010, HSV-1 seroprevalence declined by nearly 7% (P < .01), but HSV-2 seroprevalence did not change significantly. The largest decline in HSV-1 seroprevalence from 1999-2004 to 2005-2010 was observed among adolescents aged 14-19 years, among whom seroprevalence declined by nearly 23%, from 39.0% to 30.1% (P < .01). In this age group, HSV-1 seroprevalence declined >29% from 1976-1980 to 2005-2010 (P < .01). An increasing number of adolescents lack HSV-1 antibodies at sexual debut. In the absence of declines in HSV-2 infections, the prevalence of genital herpes may increase.

O04.4 Seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2 United States, 1999–2010

BackgroundHerpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are common infections with serious sequelae. HSV-1 is an increasingly important cause of genital herpes in industrialised countries, potentially due...

Epidemiological characteristics of genital herpes and condyloma acuminata in patients presenting to urologic and gynecologic clinics in Korea

As viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are hard to cure completely and because they recur frequently, the management of patients and the prevention of the spread of viral STIs are important, rather than focusing on their treatment, unlike the focus for bacterial STIs. Thus, their prevalence and epidemiological characteristics should be investigated first. This study examined the prevalence of genital herpes and condyloma acuminata in patients visiting urologic and gynecologic clinics and evaluated the epidemiological characteristics of these diseases through questionnaire surveys. Out of 167,767 patients, 1,585 were reported to have genital herpes and condyloma acuminata, and the prevalences of the two diseases were 0.58 and 0.37%, respectively. The percentage of patients with viral STIs as a proportion of the total number of patients with STIs including bacterial STIs, was 35.6%. While the prevalence of genital herpes was relatively higher in middle-aged patients, that of condyloma acuminata was observed to be higher in relatively young patients. Among the patients participating in the questionnaire survey, 39.5 and 21.0% responded that they had experienced recurrence of genital herpes and condyloma acuminata, respectively. In conclusion, because the prevalences of genital herpes and condyloma acuminata as viral STIs were not trivial compared to that of bacterial STIs, and because of their frequent recurrence, policies adjusted to the characteristics of these viral STIs and more studies on the management of recurrence are necessary.

Prevalence of Genital Herpes Pegged at 16%

Prevalence of Genital Herpes Pegged at 16%

Use of Herpes Type-specific Serology to Prevent Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection

After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe the three presentations of neonatal herpes. 2. Delineate the primary routes of acquisition of neonatal herpes. 3. Explain why herpes simplex virus type-specific serology should be used to identify at-risk pregnant women. 4. Describe approaches to prevention of neonatal herpes. At the midpoint of the third National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) (approximately 1991), herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 seroprevalence in the United States was approximately 22%. This represented an approximately 30% increase since the midpoint of the second NHANES study in the early 1980s. (1)(2)(3) Because sexual practices in the adult population probably have not changed, it is reasonable to assume that over the decade since the third NHANES study, HSV-2 seroprevalence in the United States increased by an additional 30%. To this must be added another 10% to account for genital herpes due to HSV-1. Accordingly, the prevalence of genital herpes in the United States may be as high as 40%, an average prevalence that suggests some regions (eg, urban and coastal) may have substantially higher rates than others (eg, central and rural). The NHANES study and others have demonstrated that women have higher seroprevalence rates than men, a finding consistent with the increased susceptibility of women to acquire sexually transmitted diseases. (1)(2)(3)(4) Finally, HSV-1 is increasingly responsible for initial episodes of genital herpes both in the United States and Europe. (5) Genital herpes is transmitted primarily from persons who have unrecognized infection or during periods of asymptomatic shedding. (4)(6) Approximately 75% to 90% of persons who have HSV-2 antibodies are unaware of their infection and are experiencing genital reactivations that take the form of either mildly symptomatic recurrences (two thirds of persons) that are attributed to problems …

Identification of Herpes Simplex Virus Genital Infection: Comparison of a Multiplex PCR Assay and Traditional Viral Isolation Techniques

Genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) is of major public health importance, as indicated by the marked increase in the prevalence of genital herpes over the past two decades. Viral culture has traditionally been regarded as the gold standard for diagnosis. In this study, we compared viral culture and the amplification of HSV DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with respect to sensitivity, cost, clinical utility, and turnaround time. Patient sample swabs from 100 individuals were inoculated onto MRC-5 cells for isolation. Positive results were confirmed via a direct fluorescent antibody technique, and serotyping, when requested, was performed using HSV-1 and -2-type–specific sera. PCR techniques employed an extraction step of the same initial swab specimen, followed by PCR amplification, using a multiplex assay for HSV-1, 2 DNA. HSV-positive results were found in 32/100 samples via culture and in 36/100 samples via PCR. PCR-positive results yielded 16 (44%) patients infected with HSV-1 and 20 (56%) patients infected with HSV-2. Turnaround time for viral culture averaged 108 hours for positive results and 154 hours for negative results; PCR turnaround time averaged 24–48 hours. Laboratory cost using viral culture was $3.22 for a negative result and $6.49 for a positive result (including direct fluorescent antibody). Serotyping added $10.88 to each culture-positive test. Although laboratory costs for PCR were higher at $8.20/sample, reimbursement levels were also higher. We propose a multiplex PCR assay for diagnosis of HSV-1 and HSV-2 from patient swabs for use in a routine clinical laboratory setting. This assay offers increased sensitivity, typing, and improved turnaround time when compared with traditional viral culture techniques. Although it appears that PCR testing in a routine clinical laboratory setting is cost prohibitive compared with the case of nonserotyped viral culture, it may be very useful when clinical utility warrants distinguishing between HSV 1 and 2 and may be cost effective when reimbursement issues are examined.

A Mathematical Model for the Spread of a Recurrent Disease: Genital Herpes

Background and Rationale: Up to 20% of the population of western countries are infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). In a wide percentage (20%-80%) of seropositive individuals, this infection causes genital herpes (GH), a disease that is both painful and socially distressing. Objectives: To study the factors linked with the overall prevalence of GH. To determine the potential impact of treatment. Methods: Mathematical model. Three main compartments were specified: susceptibles (S), symptomatic infected (I), and asymptomatic infected (A). Viral shedding from I and A individuals assured transmission to susceptibles at different rates. Symptomatic individuals might be cured and become asymptomatic. Antiviral treatment reduced the rate of transmission in symptomatic individuals. Results: The prevalence of GH is less than HSV-2 seroprevalence. If the symptomatic disease lasted on average for 20% of the sexual life, only one sixth of seropositive individuals would report GH. In certain situations, episode-based antiviral treatment was sufficient to eradicate the disease. However, if transmission was assured mainly by asymptomatic transmission, the impact of treatment on the spread of the disease would be negligible. In a sensitivity analysis, the effective reproductive ratio showed a dependence, in order of importance, on the percentage of effective contacts, the duration of sexual activity, the relative infectivity, the duration of the symptomatic disease, and the size of the population. Conclusions: This model confirms the importance of asymptomatic viral excretion in the spread of GH. Wider use of antiviral treatment targeted at symptomatic individuals is unlikely to eradicate the disease.

New developments in the epidemiology, natural history and management of genital herpes

The prevalence of genital herpes is increasing in several populations worldwide. Factors that may be contributing to this increase include greater numbers of sexual partners, the high frequency of asymptomatic infections, poor use of safe sexual practices, and possibly the decreased incidence of childhood oral herpes simplex virus infection. Transmission occurs via skin-to-skin or mucous membrane contact during periods of viral shedding when lesions are present but may also occur when the patient is unaware of the lesions or when lesions are not clinically apparent. This has important implications for strategies to prevent transmission of the disease. The introduction of the antiherpes agent, acyclovir, and more recently famciclovir and valacyclovir, facilitates the management of genital herpes. Treatment of first-episode genital herpes reduces the severity and duration of symptoms, time to lesion healing, and cessation of viral shedding. Episodic treatment of recurrences as they occur may be of benefit to some patients. Daily suppressive therapy significantly reduces the frequency of recurrences and asymptomatic viral shedding. Accordingly, patients who experience frequent or severe recurrences, those particularly troubled by their disease, and those who wish to reduce the frequency of asymptomatic infection generally prefer suppressive therapy. The possibility that suppressive therapy may have an impact on transmission of the disease is currently under investigation. Antiviral treatments have important implications for public health and may help reduce the psychological and psychosocial impact of genital herpes on individual patients.

HERPES: Atypical Clinical Manifestations

Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) 1 and 2 are responsible for genital herpes which is usually recognized as vesicles that ulcerate and eventually heal but recur periodically. Atypical genital herpes is often described in immunocompromised patients and can present as large, chronic, hyperkeratotic ulcers. Acyclovir-resistant HSV is occasionally isolated from such ulcers. Most cases of HSV infection reproduce subtle signs and symptoms, or more commonly, asymptomatic viral shedding. Such subclinical presentations may be responsible for most of the 30% increase in the prevalence of genital herpes in the United States during the past two decades.

1120 PREVALENCE OF GENITAL HERPES AND/OR HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPE 2 (HSV-2) ANTIBODIES IN TWO OBSTETRIC POPULATIONS

Since the pregnant woman's HSV infected genital tract is the source of virus in most cases of neonatal herpes, monitoring in the last trimester for genital virus in a woman with a history in herself or her partner is currently recommended as a method of possible prevention by C-section. We have examined the prevalence of a history of genital herpes, as well as measured HSV-2 antibodies (with an immunodot ELISA on nitrocellulose paper using a purified HSV-2 typespecific glycoprotein, gG-2) in two obstetric populations: a low socioeconomic (LS) group of 300 women and a middle class HMO group of 187 women. The prevalence of genital herpes in pregnant women by history in LS was 3.5% and in HMO 10%; including a history of genital herpes in the male partner, the rates were 1% and 13% respectively. The rates of HSV-2 antibodies in the pregnant women were 49% (LS) and 33% (HMO). Variability in history and antibody rates was noted according to age, race and awareness of the clinical entity of genital herpes. We conclude: (a) that a high proportion of obstetric patients are at some risk for transmitting HSV to their infants; (b) the current monitoring policy needs to be modified.The changing patterns of neonatal herpes as a consequence of the above, as well as other current findings to be discussed, will affect any new approaches to management of this severe neonatal problem.