| Author/Editor | Pebody, RG; Andrews, N; Brown, D; Gopal, R; de Melker, H; Francois, G; Gatcheva, N; Hellenbrand, W; Klavs, I; Prosenc, K | |
| Title | The seroepidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 in Europe | |
| Type | članek | |
| Source | Sex Transm Infect | |
| Vol. and No. | Letnik 80, št. 3 | |
| Publication year | 2004 | |
| Volume | str. 185-91 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Abstract | Objectives: To describe the seroepidemiology of herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 in the general populations of eight European countries to better understand recent reported changes in disease epidemiology. Methods: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, England and Wales, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, and Slovenia conducted national cross sectional serological surveys for HSV-1 and HSV-2 befween 1989 and 2000. Survey sizes ranged from 3000 to 7166 sera. External quality control was ensured through reference panel testing. . Results: Large intercountry and intracountry differences in HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence were observed. Age standardised HSV-1 seroprevalence ranged from 52% in Finland, to 57% in the Netherlands, 67% in Belgium, 81% in Czech Republic, and 84% in Bulgaria. Age standardised (> 12 years) HSV-2 seroprevalence ranged from 24% in Bulgaria, to 14% in Germany, 13% in Finland 11% in Belgium, 9% in Netherlands, 6% in Czech Republic, and 4% in England and Wales. In all countries, probabiliiy of seropositivity for both infections increased with age. A large proportion of teenagers and young adults remain HSV-1 susceptible particularly in northern Europe. Women were significantly more likely to be HSV-2 seropositive in six of seven (p < 0.05) countries and HSV-1 seropositive in four of seven (p < 0.05) countries, particularly in northern Europe. No significant evidence of a protective role of HSV-1 for HSV-2 infection was found adjusting for age and sex (p < 0.05). Conclusions: There is large variation in the seroepidemiology of HSV-1 and HSV-2 across Europe. The observation that a significant proportion of adolescents are now HSV-1 susceptible may have implications for transmission and clinical presentation of HSV-1 and HSV-2. | |
| Descriptors | HERPES SIMPLEX HERPESVIRUS 1, HUMAN HERPESVIRUS 2, HUMAN AGE FACTORS SEX FACTORS CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDIES EUROPE |