Novel variants of human herpesvirus 2 from Brazilian HIV-1 coinfected subjects

BACKGROUND Human herpesvirus 2 (HHV-2) have DNA genome with a limited genetic variability and have been classified into two clades. OBJECTIVES To identify and characterise six HHV-2 isolates derived from Brazilian women. METHODS HHV-2 isolates were performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of 2250 pb of the glycoprotein B (gB) coding regions. FINDINGS Four HHV-2 isolates were classified into clade B, while the remaining two, derived from HIV-1 co-infected women, showed a notable genetic divergence (> 1%). MAIN CONCLUSION The results reveal novel HHV-2 variants. The impact of these novel variants on HHV-2 pathogenesis and HIV/HHV-2 coinfection need to be investigated.

Prevalence of hrrpes simplex virus type 2 and rsk factors associated with thiss infection in women in southern Brazil / Prevalencia do herpes virus tipo 2 e fatores de risco associados a sua infeccao em mulheres do sul do Brasil

SUMMARY The herpes simplex virus type 2 (HVS-2) is the most prevalent infection worldwide. It is a cofactor in the acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV). This study evaluated the prevalence of HSV-2, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and associated factors in patients treated at the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG) and Basic Health Units (BHU) in Rio Grande, Brazil. The observed prevalence of HSV-2 was 15.6%. Among the 302 women studied, 158 had received assistance in BHU and 144 were treated at FURG. The prevalence of HSV-2 in these groups was 10.8% and 20.8%, respectively, RR 1.9 and p = 0.012. Knowledge about the Pap smear, and the presence of lesions showed no association with HSV-2 infection. Multivariate analysis showed that the variable that most influenced the risk of HSV-2 infection was the presence of HIV infection, with a relative risk of 1.9 and p = 0.04. Discussion: Genital ulcers are an important entry point for HIV, and condom use is an important strategy to reduce transmission of HIV and HSV-2. .

RESUMO O vírus herpes simplex tipo 2 (HVS-2) é uma das infecções mais prevalentes em todo o mundo. Considera-se um co-factor na aquisição do vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) e na persistência do papilomavirus humano (HPV). Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de HSV-2 usando a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e fatores associados em pacientes atendidos na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande e em Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) do Rio Grande, Brasil. A prevalência de HSV-2 encontrada neste estudo foi de 15,6%. Entre as 302 mulheres estudadas, 158 haviam recebido assistência na UBS e 144 foram atendidos na FURG. A prevalência de HSV-2 nestes grupos foi de 10,8 e 20,8%, respectivamente, com RR: 1,9 e p = 0,012. Conhecer o exame de Papanicolaou, e presença de lesão não teve associação com infecção HSV-2. A análise multivariada mostrou que a variável que influencia no risco de infecção HSV-2 foi o paciente ter HIV, com risco relativo 1,9 e p = 0,04. Discussão: As úlceras genitais são importante porta de entrada para o vírus HIV e o uso do preservativo é estratégia importante para reduzir a transmissão do HIV e do HSV-2. .

Human herpes simplex virus infections: epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and managemenT

Eight of the more than 80 known herpesviruses are human pathogens. Human herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a contagious infection with a large reservoir in the general population. It has a potential for significant complications in the immunocompromised host. In addition, psychological distress caused by the negative stigma associated with genital herpes and visible facial lesions in those experiencing frequent outbreaks renders it a challenging clinical dilemma. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnostic features of HSV infections, providing the clinician with an up-to-date understanding of the available management strategies for mucocutaneous HSV-induced disease.

Seropervalencia de la infección por virus herpes simplex tipo 2 en pacientes atendidos en centros de referencia de ETS de Santiago / Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection in two clinics for sexually transmitted diseases in Santiago, Chile

Background: Genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), is found in 3.8percent of all sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in Chile. Aim: To determine the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and to identify an association between HSV-2 and HIV-1, other STD, and to study its demographic characteristics. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study at two STD public clinics in Santiago was conducted among 200 consecutive patients. Samples were tested for HSV-2, HIV-1, syphilis and hepatitis B virus surface antigen. Results: The seroprevalence for HSV-2 was 43percent. Four patients had a history of genital herpes. There was a strong association between HSV-2 infection and HIV-1 positivity (OR=8.7, 95percent CI 3.4-22.4, p <0.001) and the condition of being a sexual worker (OR=4.5, 95percent CI 1.7-11.9, p <0.01). Conclusions: The high association with HIV-1 and sexual workers, emphasizes the need of having HSV-2 specific diagnostic tests, counseling on sign and symptom recognition and taking preventive measures.

Identidad genómica entre virus herpes simplex aislados de lesiones glúteas y genitales / Genomic identity among herpes simplex virus isolated from buttock and genital injuries

El herpes glúteo es originado por el HSV-2 en más del 70 por ciento de los casos y un 58 por ciento de los pacientes refiere antecedentes de herpes genital. Con el fin de investigar la existencia de identidad genómica entre los HSV aislados de lesiones glúteas y genitales, se estudiaron 21 HSV: 9 obtenidos de lesiones glúteas; 8 de lesiones genitales y 4 de secreción vaginal. Estos aislados provenían de 5 pacientes portadores de herpes glúteo y genital. El estudio se realizó mediante aislamiento viral, tipificación con anticuerpos monoclonales y análisis genómico con enzimas de restricción. Se demostró que, 18 aislados correspondían a HSV-2 y 3 a HSV-1. El estudio con enzimas de restricción corroboró los resultados obtenidos con anticuerpos monoclonales y permitió definir la existencia de 4 tipos de patrón HSV-2 y dos de HSV-1. Se estableció la existencia de doble infección herpética en dos de las pacientes analizadas. Los pérfiles de los genomas virales obtenidos de aislados glúteos se correspondieron en forma idéntica con el de los aislados genitales y de secreción vaginal en cada una de las pacientes estudiadas. Los resultados anteriores nos permiten confirmar la hipótesis que lesiones herpéticas genitales y glúteas pueden ser originadas por la misma cepa viral y tener un origen de infección común

Importancia del origen de la muestra en la detección de infección genital herpética inaparente / Importance of the sample origin in the identification of inapparent genital herpes infection

El herpes genital ha experimentado un notable aumento en los últimos años, lo cual cobra relevancia al revisar la participación del virus herpes simplex (HSV) en el cáncer cérvico uterino y en patología perinatal grave. La existencia de excretoras virales asintomáticas del HSV genital, de importante rol en su diseminación, nos ha llevado a investigar cual es el mejor sitio de toma de muestra. Se estudiaron 418 mujeres voluntarias, separadas en dos grupos, al primero (190) se le realizó toma de muestra endocervical y al segundo (228) lo mismo más la toma de muestra vulvo introito vaginal, ambas muestras se inocularon en cultivo celular (VERO) para aislamiento viral. Encontramos un 3,7 por ciento de excretoras virales asintomáticas en el primer grupo y un 5,5 por ciento en el segundo. El rendimiento de la muestra de origen vulvar en forma aislada alcanzó un 90 por ciento y la de origen cervical un 45 por ciento, logrando detectarse el 100 por ciento al considerarlas en conjunto. Por último observamos contaminación del 10 por ciento de las muestras vulvo introito vaginales y 4 por ciento de las de origen endoectocervical