Bacterial Vaginosis May Heighten the Risk for Acquiring Herpes Simplex Virus-2

A study conducted by T.L. Cherpes and colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh, Medical Center, discovered that bacterial vaginosis may heighten the risk of acquiring herpes simplex virus-2. The researchers conducted a longitudinal cohort study of sexually active women ages 18-30 to identify variables associated with HSV-2 infections, following up 670 HSV-2-seronegative women at four-month intervals for one year. They detected acquisition of HSV-2 antibodies in 32 of those women.

"Black race, less than or equal to 12 years of education, having a new sex partner, and bacterial vaginosis (BV) were associated with HSV-2 seroconversion on univariate analysis," the investigators wrote. "Antecedent HSV-1 infection was not protective against HSV-2 acquisition."

After controlling for other risk factors in multivariable models, the scientists found that the diagnosis of BV remained associated with an increased risk of HSV-2 infection. "In this study, the population attributable risk of BV for HSV-2 seroconversion was 21 percent," according to the report.

The authors recommended further research to determine whether screening and treatment of BV could reduce women's susceptibility to HSV-2 infection. The report, "Association Between Acquisition of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 in Women and Bacterial Vaginosis," appeared in Clinical Infectious Diseases (2003;37(3):319-325).

Back to other news for October 3, 2003