Australian Herpes Management Forum

Research Update: HSV prevalence in the Australian population

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April 2006

What's known?

Infections caused by herpes simplex viruses (HSV) types 1 and 2 are among the commonest human viral infections throughout the world.

HSV-2 infection is of public health importance as it is one of the commonest causes of genital ulceration and also implicated as an important co-factor for HIV transmission.

With potential availability of HSV vaccines, a clear understanding of the epidemiology of HSV types 1 and 2 is essential.

What’s New?

AHMF Board members Prof Anthony Cunningham and Prof Adrian Mindel are contributing authors in a  landmark study, which examined blood specimens from thousands of Australians in many cities and rural centres for antibodies to HSV types 1 and 2.

This is the first representative, nationwide, population based survey of HSV 1 and 2 seroprevalence undertaken outside the United States.

12 per cent of Australian adults are infected with HSV-2, and 76 per cent are infected with HSV-1.

Australian women are twice as likely to carry the HSV-2 virus compared with men.

People in rural areas are less likely to carry HSV-2.

Indigenous people are more likely to carry HSV-2.

This study confirms that Australia has a relatively low HSV-2 seroprevalence compared with most other countries.

Reference

A L Cunningham, R Taylor, J Taylor, C Marks J Shaw, A Mindel. Prevalence of infection with herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 in Australia: a nationwide population based survey. Sex Transm Infect 2006; 82:164-168.

Link

The paper is available at http://sti.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/82/2/164

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