Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus-1 and -2 in attendees of a sexually transmitted infection clinic in Singapore
Colin T. S. Theng A B , Priya R. Sen A , Tze-Wei M. Chio A , Hiok H. Tan A , Mee L. Wong A and Roy K. W. Chan AA National Skin Centre Singapore, 1 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308205.
B Corresponding author. Email: colintheng@nsc.gov.sg
Sexual Health 3(4) 269-274 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH05030
Submitted: 26 May 2005 Accepted: 18 August 2006 Published: 17 November 2006
Abstract
Background: We studied the seroprevalance of HSV (herpes simplex virus)-1 and HSV-2 in outpatient attendees of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic in Singapore and examined their knowledge and attitudes towards HSV infection. Methods: Two hundred male and 200 female participants were recruited in the study. Questionnaires were administered and blood samples were taken and analysed using the HerpeSelect 1 and 2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) IgG assays (type-specific serological tests). Results: HSV-1 was positive in 223 (55.8%) individuals, negative in 175 (43.8%) and indeterminate in two (0.5%), whereas HSV-2 was positive in 114 (28.5%) individuals, negative in 284 (71.0%) and indeterminate in two (0.5%). The seroprevalance of HSV-2 was 26% and 31% in males and females, respectively. The correlation between a previous history of cold sores and HSV-1 infection was poor. On univariate analysis, there was a significant association with age, marital status and years of sex (P < 0.05) but after adjusting for confounders, none of the variables were significantly associated with HSV-2 seroprevalance. Most of the respondents (65.8%) were aware that herpes is an STI, whereas only half of them were aware of the possibility of asymptomatic transmission. Conclusion: Although HSV-2 is a common infection among STI clinic attendees in Singapore, there is an unsatisfactory level of knowledge among the attendees about HSV infection and public education programs should be introduced to address this.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the National Medical Research Council for approval and funding of this study. We would also like to thank Ms Theresa Soon and the staff of the DSC clinic for their invaluable help in the recruitment and data collection during the study.
[1] Lafferty WE, Downey L, Celum C, Wald A. Herpes simplex virus type I as a cause of genital herpes: impact on surveillance and prevention. J Infect Dis 2000; 181 1454–7.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
[2] Brown ZA, Wald A, Marrow RA, Selke S, Zeh J, Corey L. Effect of serological status and caesarean delivery on transmission rates of herpes simplex virus from mother to infant. JAMA 2003; 289 203–9.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
[3] Corey L, Handsfield HH. Genital herpes and public health: addressing a global problem. JAMA 2000; 283 791–4.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
[4] Singh AE, Rowanowski B, Wong T, Gowrishankar S, Myziuk L, Fenton J, et al. HSV seroprevalance and risk factors in 2 Canadian sexually transmitted disease clinic. Sex Transm Dis 2005; 32(2): 95–106.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
[5] Bodeus M, Laffineur K, Kabama-Mukadi B, Hubinint C, Bernard P, Goubau P. Seroepidemiology of HSV type 2 in pregnant women in Belgium. Sex Transm Dis 2004; 31(5): 297–300.
| PubMed |
[6] Gottlieb SL, Douglas JM, Schmid DS, Bolan G, Iatesta M, Malotte CK, et al. Seroprevalence and correlates of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in five sexually transmitted-disease clinics. J Infect Dis 2002; 186(10): 1381–9.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
[7] Smith JS, Robison NJ. Age-specific prevalence of infection with herpes simplex types 2 and 1: a global review. J Infect Dis 2002; 186 S3–28.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
[8] Narouz N, Allan PS, Wade AH, Wagstaffe S. Genital herpes serotesting: a study of the epidemiology and patient’s knowledge and attitude among STD clinic attenders in Coventry, UK. Sex Transm Infect 2003; 79 35–41.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
[9] Ashley RL. Performance and use of HSV type-specific serology test kits. Herpes 2002; 9(2): 38–45.
| PubMed |
[10] Cowan FM, Johnson AM, Ashley RL, Corey L, Mindel A. Antibody to herpes simplex virus type 2 as serological marker of sexual lifestyle in populations. BMJ 1994; 309 1325–9.
| PubMed |
[11] Cowan FM, French RS, Mayaud P, Gopal R, Robinson NJ, Artimos de Oliveira S, et al. Seroepidemiological study of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 in Brazil, Estonia, India, Morocco, and Sri Lanka. Sex Transm Infect 2003; 79 286–90.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |
[12] Theng TSC, Chan KWR. Genital herpes in a sexually-transmitted infection clinic in Singapore: a 1-year retrospective study. Ann Acad Med Singapore 2004; 33(2): 200–3.
| PubMed |
