An epidemiologic study of herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 infection in Japan based on type-specific serological assays

• Published in: Epidemiology and infection Vol. 120; no. 2; pp. 179 - 186
• Main Authors: HASHIDO, M., LEE, F. K., NAHMIAS, A. J., TSUGAMI, H., ISOMURA, S., NAGATA, Y., SONODA, S., KAWANA, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Cambridge University Press 01.03.1998
• Subjects: Adult; Antibodies; Antigens; Antigens, Viral - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Donors; Epidemiology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Herpes Genitalis - blood; Herpes Genitalis - epidemiology; Herpes Genitalis - virology; Herpes Simplex - blood; Herpes Simplex - epidemiology; Herpes Simplex - virology; Herpesvirus 1, Human - immunology; Herpesvirus 2, Human - immunology; Homosexuality, Male; Human herpesvirus 1; Human herpesvirus 2; Human T lymphotropic virus 1; Humans; Infections; Japan - epidemiology; Male; Microbiology; Population Surveillance; Pregnancy; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Sex Work; Sexual Behavior; Sexually transmitted diseases; Simplexvirus; Virology; Viruses; Asia; Japan; Virus; Human; Prevalence; Herpesvirus hominis 1; Herpesvirus hominis 2; Herpesviridae; Alphaherpesvirinae; Serology; Epidemiology; Public health
• ISSN: 0950-2688; 1469-4409
• DOI: 10.1017/S095026889700856X

A seroepidemiologic study of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) was performed on Japanese adults. Serum samples collected between 1985–9 from a total of 536 healthy adults, female prostitutes, males with sexually transmitted diseases (STD), homosexual men, and pregnant women were studied by immunodot assays using HSV type-specific antigens, glycoproteins G (gG1 and gG2). HSV-1 infections correlated mostly with age and was widely prevalent among subjects <40 years. HSV-2 prevalence varied greatly among subgroups defined by sexual activity and was associated with risk behaviours for prostitution, infection with STD, and homosexual activity. HSV-2 seroprevalence was highest among prostitutes (80%), lowest among pregnant women (7 %), and intermediate in STD patients (23%) and homosexuals (24%). Because HSV-1 infection during childhood has been decreasing, primary genital HSV-2 infection, with its higher frequency of clinical manifestations, will become a greater burden to the public health in Japan.