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Cited by 69Herpesvirus Infections and TreatmentsReproductive tract infections researchHIV/AIDS Research and Interventions

Prevalence and risk factors for infection with herpes simplex virus type-1 and -2 among lesbians.

Marrazzo, Jeanne M., Stine, Kathleen, Wald, Anna·2003·Sexually Transmitted Diseases
DOI 10.1097/01.olq.0000091151.52656.e5
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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sexual transmission of bacterial and viral sexually transmitted disease has been reported between women. No data are available on seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and type-2 (HSV-2) among lesbians. GOAL: The goal was to define prevalence of infection with HSV-1 and HSV-2 among lesbians, and associated risk factors. STUDY DESIGN: Women who reported sex with another woman in the preceding year were eligible. Medical and sexual histories were obtained. Serum was tested for HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies using Western Blot assay. RESULTS: Among 392 subjects, antibodies to HSV-1 were detected in 46% and to HSV-2 in 8%. Increasing age predicted higher seroprevalence to both HSV types, and HSV-2 seropositivity was associated with a history of male partner with genital herpes. Of 78 women reporting no prior sex with men, 3% were HSV-2-seropositive. Most HSV-2-seropositive subjects (71%) reported no history of genital herpes. HSV-1 seroprevalence increased significantly with an increasing number of female sex partners. CONCLUSIONS: HSV-2 infection occurs in nearly 1 in 10 lesbians and is not predicted by report of sex with men or sexual identity. Most lesbians infected with HSV-2 are not aware of their infection. Sexual transmission of HSV-1 may occur more frequently among lesbians than among heterosexual women.

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  • HSV-2 seroprevalence among women self-identifying as homosexual or lesbian was 8%, similar to a previous clinic-based study of WSW but was 26% among Black WSW in one study.

    “HSV-2 seroprevalence among women self-identifying as homosexual or lesbian was 8%, similar to a previous clinic-based study of WSW (299,305) but was 26% among Black WSW in one study (287).”

    From Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 (2021) · cites this paper as [305]

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Authors
Marrazzo, J. M., Stine, K., & Wald, A.
Affiliations
University of Washington (US)
Corresponding author
  • Marrazzo, Jeanne M.
  • Stine, Kathleen
  • Wald, Anna
ORCID
Venue
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2003-12
Volume
30
Issue
12
Pages
890-895
ISSN
0148-5717 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1097/01.olq.0000091151.52656.e5
OpenAlex
W2008831819
Cited by
69
References
30
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 4
FWCI
3.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (AI 30731, P01AI030731, R29-AI41153-04, R29AI041153)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Reproductive tract infections research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
Keywords
herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes simplex virus type 2, lesbians, seroprevalence, risk factors, sexual transmission, HSV-1 seroprevalence, age
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Antibodies, Viral, Female, Herpes Simplex, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Risk Factors, Washington, Blotting, Western, Prevalence, Herpesvirus 2, Human, Herpesvirus 1, Human, Homosexuality, Female

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