Clinical and laboratory study of first episode genital herpes in Singapore

Int J STD AIDS. 1990 May;1(3):195-8. doi: 10.1177/095646249000100309.

Abstract

A prospective study of the epidemiology, clinical aspects and laboratory features of first episode genital herpes was carried out in Middle Road Hospital, Singapore between June 1986 and December 1987. A total of 68 patients were studied. There were more women than men in the study population with a female to male ratio of 7.5 to 1. The peak incidence of first episode genital herpes was between 20 and 29 years of age. Specimens from 63 patients yielded positive culture for herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV-1 was isolated from 21 patients (30.9%), HSV-2 from 41 patients (60.3%) and untyped HSV from one patient (1.5%). True primary genital herpes was diagnosed in 43 patients (68.3%) using a test for complement fixing antibodies to HSV. HSV-1 was found to be the causative agent in 18 (41.9%) of the true primary infections, HSV-2 in 24 (55.8%) and untyped HSV in one (2.3%). In comparison, HSV-1 was isolated in only 2 (10%) of the 20 patients with non-primary first episode genital herpes; HSV-2 was found in 13 patients (65%) and the culture was negative in 5 (25%).

PIP: A prospective study of the epidemiology, clinical aspects, and laboratory features of 1st episode genital herpes was conducted in Middle Road Hospital, Singapore between June 1986-December 1987. A total of 68 patients were studied and there were more women than men in the study population; the ratio of females:males was 7.5:1. The peak incidence of 1st episode genital herpes was between 20-29 years of age. Specimens from 63 patients yielded positive culture for herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV-1 was isolated from 21 patients (30.9%), HSV-2 from 41 patients (60.3%), and untyped HSV from 1 patient (1.5%). True primary genital herpes was diagnosed in 43 patients (68.3%) using a test for complement fixing antibodies to HSV. HSV-1 was found to be the causative agent in 18 (41.9%) of the true primary infection, HSV-2 in 24 (55.8%), and untyped HSV in 1 (2.3%). In comparison, HSV-1 was isolated in only 2 (10%) of the 20 patients with nonprimary 1st episode genital herpes; HSV-2 was found in 13 patients (65%), and the culture was negative in 5 (25%).

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Complement Fixation Tests
  • Female
  • Herpes Genitalis / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sex Factors
  • Simplexvirus / classification
  • Simplexvirus / immunology
  • Simplexvirus / isolation & purification
  • Singapore / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral