The epidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in low-income urban populations in coastal Peru.

Konda, Kelika A.; Klausner, Jeffrey D.; Lescano, Andres G.; Leon, S.; Jones, Franca R.; Pajuelo, Jose, Caceres, Carlos F.; Coates, Thomas J.; And The Nimh Collaborative Hiv/Sti Prevention Trial Group.

En: Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Vol. 32 No. 9, 2005.

This study demonstrates high prevalence of HSV-2 infection across all study subgroups in low-income populations of urban, coastal Peru, except the general population males. High prevalence of HSV-2 infection was not limited to the three socially marginalized groups but was also present in the general population females. Among all high-prevalence groups, HSV-2 prevalence was 16% or greater in 18 to 20 year olds and risk increased with additional years of sexual activity or age. These findings indicate the need for prevention and control programs to address both the burden of HSV-2 disease and the increased chance of HIV acquisition among HSV-2-infected individuals.