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. 2016 Aug 2:16:364.
doi: 10.1186/s12879-016-1707-8.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in the Netherlands: seroprevalence, risk factors and changes during a 12-year period

Petra J Woestenberg  1 , Jeroen H T Tjhie  2 , Hester E de Melker  3 , Fiona R M van der Klis  3 , Jan E A M van Bergen  3   4   5 , Marianne A B van der Sande  3   6 , Birgit H B van Benthem  3
Affiliations

Herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in the Netherlands: seroprevalence, risk factors and changes during a 12-year period

Petra J Woestenberg et al. BMC Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Genital herpes results in considerable morbidity, including risk of neonatal herpes, and is increasingly being caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) type 1. Possibly children are less often HSV-1 infected, leaving them susceptible until sexual debut. We assessed changes in the Dutch HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence over time and determinants associated with HSV seropositivity.

Methods: We used data from two population-based seroepidemiological studies conducted in 1995-6 and 2006-7 with a similar study design. Serum samples of 6 months to 44-year-old participants were tested for type-specific HSV antibodies using HerpesSelect® with a cut-off level of >1.10 for seropositivity. Age and sex-specific HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence was weighted for the Dutch population. Logistic regression was performed to investigate determinants associated with HSV seropositivity.

Results: Overall, weighted HSV-1 seroprevalence was significantly lower in 2006-7 [42.7 % 95 % confidence interval (CI) 39.9-45.4] than in 1995-6 (47.7 % 95 % CI 44.8-50.7), especially among 10- to 14-year-olds. Overall, weighted HSV-2 seroprevalence remained stable: 6.8 % in 1995-6 and 6.0 % in 2006-7. Adults who ever had sexual intercourse were more often seropositive for HSV-1 [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 1.69 95 % CI 1.33-2.16] and HSV-2 (aOR 2.35 95 % CI 1.23-4.52). Age at sexual debut was the only sexual risk determinant associated with HSV-1 seropositivity.

Conclusions: Because of the lower HSV-1 seroprevalence in 2006-7 compared to 1995-6, more adults are susceptible to genital HSV-1, including women of reproductive age. Given the higher risk of neonatal herpes when HSV is acquired during pregnancy, prevention and control measures during pregnancy also targeting HSV-1, are important.

Keywords: Genital herpes; HSV-1; HSV-2; Herpes simplex virus; Public health; Seroprevalence.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Weighted seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 by gender, age and Pienter study. * Difference in seroprevalence between Pienter-1 and Pienter-2 is statistically significant (p < 0.05)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Proportion of adults reporting a history of genital herpes by HSV serostatus and Pienter study. Only adults who ever had sexual intercourse were included. Proportions are unweighted
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