Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112522

Amber L. Wade, MPH¹, Robert A. Gunn, MD MPH², and Marjorie Lee, MPH². (1) Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, 6192443738, amber719@excite.com, (2) Division of Hepatitis & STD Prevention, County of San Diego, Health Services Complex, 3851 Rosecrans St, San Diego, CA 92186-5222

Background: Genital herpes infections are among the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections in the United States. Although genital herpes is most often associated with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), recent data suggest an increasing proportion of genital herpes infections are due herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Objective: To evaluate trends and demographic characteristics of HSV-1 and HSV-2 positivity among symptomatic clients attending urban STD clinics in San Diego, CA. Study Design: A cross-sectional study was performed using laboratory data on herpes cultures obtained from San Diego County STD clinic clients between 1992 to 2004. Results: During the study period, the overall average HSV positivity rate was 47.0% (HSV-1 = 6.5%; HSV-2 = 40.5%). HSV-1 positivity increased over the 13-year time period (chi square for trend = 6.4; p=0.01) whereas HSV-2 positivity decreased (chi square = 13.4; p<0.001). In addition, African Americans were more likely to be HSV-2 positive than Whites (45.9% versus 35.7%; Prevalence Ratio [PR] = 1.3; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.1-1.5) and less likely to be HSV-1 positive (2.6% versus 8.8%; PR = 0.3; 95% CI 0.2-0.5). Conclusions: Overall HSV positivity among STD clinic clients has changed during the past decade. While there has been an increasing trend in HSV-1 positivity, HSV-2 positivity had declined. These data suggest changes in sexual practices, such as an increase in oral sex among Whites as well as an increase in protected genital sex, may be influencing current trends.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Describe the biological and clinical differences between herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-
• and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
• List three factors associated with genital HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection.
• Discuss current trends in genital HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.