%0 Journal Article
%T Herpes simplex virus 2 infection: A risk factor for HIV infection in heterosexuals
%A Anuradha K
%A Singh H
%A Gopal KVT
%A Rama Rao G
%J Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology
%D 2008
%I Medknow Publications
%X Background: Genital ulcerative disease is one of the risk factors for acquisition of HIV. As HSV-2 infection is currently the most common cause of genital ulcerative disease, it acts as a potential risk factor for HIV infection. The present study was undertaken to know the seroprevalence of antibodies to HSV-2 in HIV seropositive individuals and in the general population, and to ascertain if HSV-2 is a risk factor for developing HIV infection. Methods: The study group included one hundred new HIV seropositive persons irrespective of active genital herpes or history of genital herpes. Fifty age- and sex- matched healthy volunteers were included as controls. In all patients and controls, diagnostic serology was done for HSV-2 using HSV-2-specific glycoprotein IgG2 by indirect immunoassay using the ELISA test. Statistical value ¡äP¡ä was calculated using the Chi-squared test. Results: Out of the 100 HIV seropositives, 66 were males and 34 were females with an age range of 20-54 years. In only 22 (19 males and 3 females) of these, positive history of genital herpes was obtained. In 49 out of the 100 HIV seropositives, IgG2 antibodies against HSV-2 were detected. In the control group, 11 out of 50 controls were seropositive for HSV-2 IgG2 antibody. There was a statistically significant association between HSV-2 and HIV seropositivity with ¡äP¡ä value < 0.005. Conclusion: The high prevalence of HSV-2 seropositivity in the HIV-infected group (49%) as compared to normal controls (22%) was statistically significant. Prior HSV-2 infection could be an important risk factor for acquisition of HIV in our patients.
%K Human immunodeficiency virus
%K Herpes simplex virus 2
%K Seroprevalence
%U http://www.ijdvl.com/article.asp?issn=0378-6323;year=2008;volume=74;issue=3;spage=230;epage=233;aulast=Anuradha