PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES TO HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS IN PREGNANT-WOMEN INSTOCKHOLM IN 1969, 1983 AND 1989 - IMPLICATIONS FOR STD EPIDEMIOLOGY

Prevalence of antibody to herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 was asses sed in consecutive serum samples from a total of 3700 women pregnant i n 1969, 1983, or 1989 from the same catchment area in Stockholm. There was little change in seroprevalence of antibody to herpes simplex typ e 1 in the 3 groups, but age-adjusted herpes simplex virus type 2 anti body prevalence was 19, 33, and 33% respectively. Increase in type 2 s eropositivity with age was slight and similar in 1969 and 1989, but st eep in 1983, indicating a shift in sexual behaviour. However, rising p revalence in women will be mirrored by rising prevalence in their male partners. The increase from 1969 to 1989 will thus partly be due to h igher risk of infection per partner, and cannot be taken as direct evi dence of increased rate of partner change during this 20-year period.