Prior herpes simplex virus type 2 infection as a risk factor for HIV infection

S. D. Holmberg, J. A. Stewart, A. R. Gerber, R. H. Byers, F. K. Lee, P. M. O'Malley and A. J. Nahmias
AIDS Program, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333.

Antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) in three sequential serum samples from 62 men who did and 61 men who did not develop human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection at the time of the final (third) serum specimen were studied. Antibody titers to CMV, EBV, and HSV-1 did not significantly rise in or differ between men who did or did not get HIV infection. However, we found that 32 (68%) of 47 HIV seroconverters had antibodies to HSV-2 at the time the third specimen was drawn, whereas only 26 (46%) of 57 men who remained HIV seronegative had HSV-2 antibody positivity. Seroconversion to HSV-2 between any two serum specimens was found in 11 (42%) of the 26 HIV seroconverters but in only five (14%) of 35 men who remained HIV seronegative. The association between HSV-2 seropositivity (or seroconversion) and subsequent or concurrent HIV seroconversion remained when we controlled for factors known to influence HIV infection, including age, number of sexual partners, and percentage of sexual acts involving receptive anal intercourse. These serologic studies do not support the role of CMV, EBV, or HSV-1 in HIV infection but do suggest that HSV-2 infection is a risk factor for subsequent or concurrent HIV infection.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Herpes simplex virus type 2: epidemiology and management options in developing countries
Paz-Bailey et al.
Sex. Transm. Infect. 2007;83:16-22.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Trends in herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 seroprevalence in the United States.
Xu et al.
JAMA 2006;296:964-973.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Increasing relative prevalence of HSV-2 infection among men with genital ulcers from a mining community in South Africa
Lai et al.
Sex. Transm. Infect. 2003;79:202-207.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Efficiency of Reconstitution of Immunoglobulin G from Blood Specimens Dried on Filter Paper and Utility in Herpes Simplex Virus Type-Specific Serology Screening
Hogrefe et al.
CVI 2002;9:1338-1342.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

STD in Bangladesh's trucking industry: prevalence and risk factors
Gibney et al.
Sex. Transm. Infect. 2002;78:31-36.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Prevalence and association between herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2-specific antibodies in attendees at a sexually transmitted disease clinic
Roest et al.
Int J Epidemiol 2001;30:580-588.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Sex Differences in Risk Factors for HIV Seroconversion Among Injection Drug Users: A 10-Year Perspective
Strathdee et al.
Arch Intern Med 2001;161:1281-1288.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Intranasal Immunization with CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides as an Adjuvant Dramatically Increases IgA and Protection Against Herpes Simplex Virus-2 in the Genital Tract
Gallichan et al.
J. Immunol. 2001;166:3451-3457.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Reductions in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Antibody Titers After Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management and Relationships With Neuroendocrine Function, Relaxation Skills, and Social Support in HIV-Positive Men
Cruess et al.
Psychosom. Med. 2000;62:828-837.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Strong Decline in Herpes Simplex Virus Antibodies Over Time among Young Homosexual Men Is Associated with Changing Sexual Behavior
Dukers et al.
Am J Epidemiol 2000;152:666-673.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Construction, Phenotypic Analysis, and Immunogenicity of a UL5/UL29 Double Deletion Mutant of Herpes Simplex Virus 2
Da Costa et al.
J. Virol. 2000;74:7963-7971.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Herpes Serology for Dermatologists
Goldman
Arch Dermatol 2000;136:1158-1161.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Genital Herpes and Public Health: Addressing a Global Problem
Corey and Handsfield
JAMA 2000;283:791-794.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Relation Between Herpes Simplex Viruses and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections
Severson and Tyring
Arch Dermatol 1999;135:1393-1397.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Neutrophils Aid in Protection of the Vaginal Mucosae of Immune Mice against Challenge with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2
Milligan
J. Virol. 1999;73:6380-6386.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Recombinant Glycoprotein Vaccine for the Prevention of Genital HSV-2 Infection: Two Randomized Controlled Trials
Corey et al.
JAMA 1999;282:331-340.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Genital Herpes: Review of the Epidemic and Potential Use of Type-Specific Serology
Ashley and Wald
Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 1999;12:1-8.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 in the United States, 1976 to 1994
Fleming et al.
NEJM 1997;337:1105-1111.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT