Abstracts » Health

Underestimation of HSV-2 seroprevalence in a high-risk population by microneutralization assay

Article Abstract:

Complement independent neutralizing antibody assays (CINA) may not be an effective method for diagnosis of infections caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Infections caused by HSV-2 are usually transmitted sexually in genital secretions. A study evaluated blood samples from 521 women using a CINA and a Western blot assay. Seventy-six percent of the women had antibodies to HSV by CINA, compared with 81% by Western blot. Of 220 blood samples with antibodies to HSV-2 by Western blot, only 48% had neutralizing antibodies to HSV-2 by CINA. Evaluation using a CINA may miss a significant number of patients infected with HSV-2.

Methods, Evaluation, Diagnosis, Medical testing products, Diagnostic reagents and test kits, Diagnostic reagents, Diagnostic virology

---

Genital herpes in a primary care clinic: demographic and sexual correlates of herpes simplex type 2 infections

Article Abstract:

There appear to be gender and racial specific factors associated with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections. HSV-2 infection rates were determined in 922 family practice patients, and a subset was polled about their sexual behaviors. Overall, 23% were infected with HSV-2. Sixty-three percent of the African-American women were infected, 40% of the African-American men, 27% of the white women, and 12% of the white men. Participants who had had a sexually transmitted disease or more than 10 sexual partners were more likely to be infected with HSV-2. The significance of these risk factors varied by race and gender.

Research, Demographic aspects, Health, Health and race, Ethnic groups, Disease susceptibility, Herpes simplex

---

Some parts © 2012 Advameg, Inc.