PURPOSE: This study determined the seroprevalence of herpes virus 2 in gravidas and the differences between herpes virus 2-infected and healthy gravidas. The need to screen gravidas for herpes virus 2 was also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis involving 500 gravidas who underwent herpes virus 2 serologic testing and delivery in our hospital between January 2009 and August 2010 was performed. All patients in the study group were classified as herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) positive, and all cases were analyzed with respect to the clinical course of the pregnancy, pregnancy outcome, obstetric complications, and neonatal outcomes. SPSS software (version 14.0) was used for statistical analysis. A chi-square test and Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In the current study, the herpes virus 2 seroprevalence rate in gravidas was 17%. There was no significant difference in the rates of preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor, and intrauterine growth restriction between the herpes virus 2-infected gravidas and the healthy control group. The rates of spontaneous abortion and sexually transmitted disease were higher in the herpes virus 2 infection group than the healthy control group. CONCLUSION: After educating gravidas on genital herpes and, if gravidas thereafter consent to herpes virus 2 screening, the risk of neonatal herpes virus 2 infections can be reduced. In addition, examination of gravidas for sexually transmitted diseases would increase as would appropriate treatment.
Adult ; Female ; Herpes Genitalis/*diagnosis/epidemiology/virology ; Herpes Simplex ; Herpesvirus 2, Human/*pathogenicity ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/diagnosis/epidemiology/virology ; Retrospective Studies

Changes in sexual behavior may constitute an important contribution to relative increase in genital herpes. Many research results suggest that HSV-2 plays a big part in the transmission of HIV infection. There is an urgent need to identify effective HSV-2 control measures in order to reduce HIV incidence. The detection of HSV-2-specific antibodies in serum is especially useful and reliable. During the past 2 decades, selective and specific inhibitors of replication have been developed. Such agents as acyclovir, valaciclovir and famciclovir, have reduced the time of healing and the possibility of virus excretion. Efforts have been made in different directions including the exploration of new targets for antiviral chemotherapy, the use of immunomodulators and the development of specific vaccines.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; therapeutic use ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; China ; epidemiology ; Herpes Genitalis ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Herpes Simplex Virus Vaccines ; therapeutic use ; Humans

No abstract available.
Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Herpes Genitalis/diagnosis* ; Human ; Infant, Newborn ; Keratitis, Dendritic/diagnosis* ; Male ; Middle Age ; Risk ; Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

BACKGROUND: The serological diagnosis of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection has pitfalls, in that most of the antibodies against HSV-2 cross-react with HSV-1 and the prevalence of HSV-1 infection is high, especially in Korea. In this study, we tried to establish the serological diagnostic method, which could detect and measure the specific antibodies against HSV- 2 by competitive immunofluorescent staining method as well as competitive ELISA based on the specific monoclonal antibody, MH2-7. METHODS: Immunofluorescent staining and western blot analysis were used to characterize the antigens recognized by MH2-7. Competitive immunofluorescent staining (IF), competitive enzyme immunoassay (ELISA), and western blot analysis were used to detect specific antibodies against HSV-2 in patients' sera. RESULTS: In western blot analysis, the sera from two of six patients clinically diagnosed as genital herpes showed characteristic band patterns, which have been known to be compatible with HSV-2 infection. In competitive immunofluorescent staining, only the sera from the two patients clinically diagnosed as genital herpes and with characteristic band pattern showed competition with MH2-7 monoclonal antibody. The dilution range of the serum showing specific competition was between 1:10 and 1:80. Competitive ELISA was also performed and evaluated as the diagnostic efficacy as ELISA has been known to be advantageous over IF staining in mass screening. The result showed linear dose-response relationship for the patient's sera in inhibition of the reactivity of MH2-7. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the competitive immunofluorescent staining method and competitive ELISA based on the specific monoclonal antibody MH2-7 is a simple, accurate, and precise method, which can be used in serological diagnosis of HSV-2 infection.
Antibodies ; Blotting, Western ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Herpes Genitalis ; Herpesvirus 1, Human ; Herpesvirus 2, Human* ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques* ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence

A 46-year-old male presented with skin lesion on the tip of penis, occurring a month ago. Erythematous macules and grouped vesicles on the glans penis and upper side of prepuce area were noticed. In addition, scales were noticed on the tip of glans penis. The lesion was first diagnosed as herpes genitalis based on the clinical manifestation, but had failed to improve with systemic and topical antiviral and topical antibiotics. KOH examinations were performed on his upper glans penis, and we detected pseudo hyphae and spores. Fungal culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) study were revealed as Candida albicans. He was successfully treated with topical isoconazole cream twice a day. Candida balanitis refers to candida infections of glans penis. Infectious balanitis presented various clinical presentations, it is not easy to diagnose with clinical presentation only. Therefore, it is essential to include other examination such as KOH examination, microorganism exam, and/or biopsy in the differential diagnosis when cutaneous lesions are noticed in patients. Herein, we present a candida balanitis with atypical features that clinically mimicked herpes genitalis.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Balanitis* ; Biopsy ; Candida albicans ; Candida* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Herpes Genitalis* ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Skin ; Spores ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is the second most common cause of viral meningitis and the most common cause of recurrent meningitis. Although the incidence of HSV-2 meningitis is high, its clinical characteristics are not well known. The purpose of this study was to review the clinical characteristics and prognosis of HSV-2 meningitis. METHODS: We analyzed patients who were admitted to the Department of Neurology at Severance Hospital with a final diagnosis of HSV-2 meningitis, as confirmed by applying the polymerase chain reaction to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients. RESULTS: The study involved 998 patients with aseptic meningitis and 60 patients diagnosed with HSV-2 meningitis. The mean age at meningitis presentation was 32.5 years (range 18-54 years), and 72% of the patients were female. Common clinical symptoms were headache (100%), nausea and/or vomiting (83%), meningismus (57%), and fever (55%). Six patients had a history of genital herpes infection, and 11 had a past history of recurrent meningitis. The CSF study was notable for elevated protein (111.0±53.5 mg/dL, mean±standard deviation) and white cell count (332.0±211.3 cells/µL). The CSF/serum glucose ratio was 0.52±0.90. Various treatments were applied, including conservative care, antiviral agents, empirical antibiotics, and combined treatments. All patients recovered without serious neurologic sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: HSV-2 meningitis is relatively common, as are recurrent episodes. The clinical characteristics of HSV-2 meningitis are similar to those of other types of aseptic meningitis. HSV-2 meningitis is treated using antiviral therapy, and the prognosis is favorable even with conservative treatment.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antiviral Agents ; Cell Count ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fever ; Glucose ; Headache ; Herpes Genitalis ; Herpes Simplex* ; Herpesvirus 2, Human* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Meningism ; Meningitis ; Meningitis, Aseptic ; Meningitis, Viral ; Nausea ; Neurology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies* ; Simplexvirus* ; Vomiting

Herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2(HSV-1, HSV-2) are the ubiquitous human pathogens responsible for a variety of afflictions, HSV-2 is one of the viruses that were suspected of promoting carcinogenesis in the uterine cervix. Certainly, there is a need for the more sensitive and accurate laboratory techniques for HSV detection. We examined total 80 cases of smears including 17 Tzanck smears of skin and 63 cases of Papanicolaou smears from total 77 patients with clinical impression of herpetic infections, from September, 1985 through August, 1989. Immunohistochemical typings for HSV-1 and HSV-2 were performed together with routine cytologic findings and compared The results are as follows : 1) patients were 9 males and 33 females, and age distribution was between 5 and 71 years 2) Subjective symptoms such as ulceration, vesicle, vaginal discharge, pruritus, and pain were complained in 36 patients and 38 cases were genital herpes. Recurrence was noted in 11 cases. 3) Positive results were obtained in 42 among 80 cases. 4) Both routine cytology and imunohistochemical staining were positive in 13 cases and in 24 cases only immunohistochemical staining were positive. 5 cases were positive only in routine cytologic smears. 5) The cases that immunocytochemical stain had been performed were 37 cases, which were all positive in type 2, Among the above 37 cases, type 1 also were positive in 5 cases. The results show that the immunoperoxidase technique is one of the rapid and reliable method to confirm the herpetic infection when suspected and that it is particularly useful when the Papanicolaou smear findings are equivocal
Age Distribution ; Carcinogenesis ; Cervix Uteri ; Diagnosis* ; Female ; Herpes Genitalis ; Herpes Simplex* ; Herpesvirus 1, Human ; Herpesvirus 2, Human ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Male ; Papanicolaou Test ; Pruritus ; Recurrence ; Simplexvirus* ; Skin ; Ulcer ; Vaginal Discharge

STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) refer to a variety of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections that are acquired through sexual activity including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex. The term sexually transmitted infection (STI) is used increasingly because it has a broader range of meaning; a person may be infected and may potentially infect others without showing signs of diseases. Approximately 340 million new cases of STDs occur each year in the world. According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, notified cases of STDs in Korea decreased from 32,872 in 2002 to 12,486 in 2007. Bacterial STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydial infection declined continuously but syphilis and chlamydial infection increased again. Viral STDs such as genital herpes and condyloma acuminatum increased continuously. Gonorrhea and chlamydial infection are still the two most commonly reported STDs in Korea. Bacterial STDs can be cured. However, the problem is that viral STDs cannot be cured completely at present. Safe sex with proper education and the correct use of condom are important to prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancy. Early diagnosis and screening, proper treatment, and appropriate counseling from qualified physicians are necessary to prevent the complications and spread of STDs. Also, continuous monitoring and strategies of prevention of STDs will be necessary for improvement of the public health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Condoms ; Counseling ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Gonorrhea ; Herpes Genitalis ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Unwanted ; Public Health ; Safe Sex ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; Syphilis

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate victims of child sexual abuse and assess the similarities and differences between them. METHODS: The authors studied retrospectively 55 patients among 230 sexual abuse victims between the ages 2 and 13 who visited and were treated at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Police Hospital between the dates Oct, 13, 2001 and Mar, 25, 2003 were followed and observed. RESULTS: Female infants and children composed 94.5% instances of sexual abuse were most common between 4 and 7 o'clock in the afternoon. Unlike adult cases, assailants were in most cases acquaintances (55.5%), and the crimes were committed most often at the homes of either victim or assailant (50.9%). 38.2% of victims had been directed to the National Police Hospital from police stations, 21.8% from other hospitals. Diagnosis resulted in 5.5% of cases with no observable symptoms, 18.2% with lacerations, among these cases 1 instance (1.8%) requiring surgical repair. 1 case each of Gonorrhea and genital herpes were found, with no instances of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Child sexual abuse results in life-long bodily and psychological stress for both the victim and his/her family. Witnesses are in some cases unable to testify in legal proceedings, and the gathering of evidence is more difficult than in adult cases. This could lead to frequent social and legal negligence. Cooperation among such numerous and various professional institutions as hospitals, child guidance clinics, child psychiatrists, police, prosecutory offices and the courts is requisite to the settlement of these cases. Since the gynecologist plays the leading role in the identification and treatment of child and infant sexual abuse victims, and is often the first to come in contact with these cases, careful attention is required in the processes of inspection, inquiry, evidence collection, treatment and diagnosis.
Adult ; Child ; Child Abuse, Sexual* ; Child Guidance Clinics ; Child* ; Crime ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Friends ; Gonorrhea ; Gynecology ; Herpes Genitalis ; Humans ; Infant ; Lacerations ; Malpractice ; Obstetrics ; Police ; Pregnancy ; Psychiatry ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Offenses ; Stress, Psychological

INTRODUCTIONHerpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is the most common cause of genital herpes. Glycoprotein G (gG) is a prototype antigen for type-specific serodiagnosis distinguishing between HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 infections. As immunological diagnosis kits for accurate differentiation between HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies can be expensive, there is a need to develop a convenient, sensitive, specific and cost-effective serodiagnostic kit.

METHODSWe successfully expressed a fragment of gG comprising residues 321-580 of HSV-2 with histidine tag (gG(321-580His)) in a Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system, which had an antigenicity similar to its native counterpart. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed using gG(321-580His) as the diagnostic antigen and evaluated by comparison with a commercial HerpeSelect 2 ELISA immunoglobulin G kit as reference.

RESULTSIn testing 318 field serum samples, the diagnostic relative sensitivity and specificity of the developed gG(321-580His)-ELISA test in qualitative comparison with the commercial kit were 93.81% and 96.74%, respectively, and the accuracy was 94.65%.

CONCLUSIONThe study indicates that gG(321-580His) has a high diagnostic potential for HSV-2 virus serodiagnosis in humans.

Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Herpes Genitalis ; diagnosis ; virology ; Herpes Simplex ; diagnosis ; virology ; Herpesvirus 1, Human ; isolation & purification ; Herpesvirus 2, Human ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; chemistry ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Reference Values ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Serologic Tests ; methods