Prevalence of herpes simplex virus infection in patients with genital herpes using the immunofluorescent antibody test
- Author:
HB Gangaram
;
Akbal Kaur
;
S Mangalam
;
Suraiya H Hussein
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Genital herpes, Immunofluorescent antibody test, HSV types
- From:Malaysian Journal of Dermatology
2007;19(-):51-56
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background Herpes genitalis (HG) is the commonest cause of
sexually transmitted ulcerative disease in the world, including Malaysia1. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 is more frequently implicated than HSV type 1. This pattern has seen some changes in many parts of the world, with increasing HSV type 1 rates2.
Objective The aim of this study was to determine the type of HSV implicated in patients with herpes genitalis at the Genito-Urinary Medicine Clinic, Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
Methods A retrospective study was undertaken on 242 patients with a diagnosis of herpes genitalis at the Genito-Urinary Medicine Clinic from January 2000 to December 2004. The study included all cases of
genital herpes in patients aged over 12 years. The typing was done by a immunofluorescent - labeled monoclonal antibody technique specific for HSV antigens.
Results Majority (76%) were between the ages of 20-49 years. Males outnumbered females by 1.6:1. Younger women (20-29 years old) tend to be more frequently affected than their male counterpart. One fourth (25.7%) of the patients reported having sex with sex workers and less
than 1% (0.4%) were sex workers. A significant percentage (30.5%) of married men reported extramarital relationship with sex workers or had a casual or regular partner. Usage of condoms was low at 12%. Clinical diagnosis at presentation was primary herpes genitalis (56%) and
recurrent (44%). 162 (67%) out of a total of 242 patients had the herpes immunofluorescent test done. 110 (68%) of those done were negative. Only 34 (21%) of patients with herpes genitalis had a positive immunofluorescent antibody test. Of the 21%, herpes simplex virus
type 2 was found in 19 (12%) of patients with herpes genitalis, HSV type 1 in 10 (6%) and HSV types 1 & 2 coinfection in 5 (3%) patients. Conclusions In our study, HSV-2 was still more common causing
57% of the cases seen, HSV-1 29% and HSV-1 and HSV-2
coinfection in 14%. An increased rate of HSV-1 seen could possibly be due to a change in sexual behavior of the patients especially with regards to oro-genital sexual contact.
