THE ASSOCIATION OF HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPE-2 (HSV-2), HAEMOPHILUS-DUCREYI, AND SYPHILIS WITH HIV-INFECTION IN YOUNG MEN IN NORTHERN THAILAND

To evaluate the association between sexually transmitted diseases that commonly may cause genital ulceration and prevalent and incident HIV infections, we conducted three case control studies in a cohort of 21- year-old male military conscripts in northern Thailand. The men were e valuated at baseline in 1991 and semiannually until their discharge 2 years later. Serologic evidence of infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), Haemophilus ducreyi, and HN were more frequent at bas eline in 83 men with a history of genital ulcer than in 97 men without such a history. Seropositivity to H. ducreyi (odds ratio [OR] = 3.46) , HSV-2 (OR = 3.83), and syphilis (OR = 1.53) were more common in HIV- positive than HIV-negative men. Men (N = 45) who seroconverted to HIV while in the military were more often seropositive for H, ducreyi and HSV-2 before HIV seroconversion and also were more likely to seroconve rt to HSV-2 and H. ducreyi during the same interval as their HIV seroc onversion compared with men who remained HN-negative. These data sugge st that HSV-2 and H. ducreyi may be both markers for high-risk sexual behavior and risk factors for HIV infection among young men in Thailan d.