Prevalence and determinants of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in a cohort of HIV-positive individuals in Italy

Abstract

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections may be a risk factor for the transmission of HIV. Data on the prevalence of HSV-2 infection among HIV-positive individuals are scarce.

Goal: The goal was to study the seroprevalence of and risk factors for HSV-2 infection among a cohort of Italian HIV-positive individuals.

Study design: This was a cross-sectional study. HSV-2 serologic testing was performed for individuals with known date of HIV seroconversion, on the serum specimen obtained on the date closest to the estimated date of seroconversion. Antibodies to HSV-2 (anti-HSV-2) were detected by a gG2-specific ELISA.

Results: A total of 380 HIV-positive individuals were tested for anti-HSV-2; 126 (33.2%) of them were positive. Older age at HIV seroconversion and homosexuality were significantly associated with HSV-2 infection in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions: These data stress the need for including anti-HSV-2 testing and therapy in the management of HIV positivity, especially for reducing the risk of transmission of HIV through herpetic lesions.