Herpes simplex virus type 2 and heterosexual spread of human immunodeficiency virus infection in developing countries: hypotheses and research priorities

• Published in: Clinical microbiology and infection Vol. 9; no. 3; pp. 161 - 171
• Main Authors: Mbopi-Keou, F.X., Robinson, N.J., Mayaud, P., Belec, L., Brown, D.W.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2003; Blackwell Science Ltd; Blackwell
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Developing Countries; Female; Herpes Genitalis - complications; Herpes Genitalis - prevention & control; Herpes Genitalis - transmission; Herpes Genitalis - virology; Herpes simplex virus 2; Herpes simplex virus type 2; Herpesvirus 2, Human; Heterosexuality; HIV Infections - complications; HIV Infections - prevention & control; HIV Infections - transmission; HIV Infections - virology; HIV-1; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human immunodeficiency virus 2; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; intervention; Male; Medical sciences; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral - prevention & control; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral - transmission; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; human immunodeficiency virus; Herpes simplex virus type 2; intervention; developing countries; Human; Immunopathology; Heterosexuality; Herpesviridae; Alphaherpesvirinae; Genital system; Developing countries; AIDS; Immune deficiency; Epidemiology; Genital diseases; Infection; Virus; Sexually transmitted disease; Herpesvirus hominis 2; Viral disease; Risk factor
• ISSN: 1198-743X; 1469-0691
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-0691.2003.00550.x

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection is almost always sexually transmitted, and causes genital ulceration. Significant progress in our understanding of HSV infection has occurred over the last decade, in part related to the development of accurate and sensitive laboratory tests to study HSV-2. The application of PCR and type-specific serology to individual cases and in population-based studies has enabled the identification of a potentially important role for HSV-2 infection as a cofactor in the sexual transmission of HIV. This is a particular issue in developing countries. This review describes the epidemiology of HSV-2 infection in the HIV era, the hypotheses regarding HSV—HIV interactions, and research priorities for the developing world.