Strong decline in herpes simplex virus antibodies over time among young homosexual men is associated with changing sexual behavior

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the change in sexual be havior among homosexual men observed after the start of the acquired immuno deficiency syndrome epidemic resulted in a change in herpes simplex virus ( HSV) seroprevalence in this group over time. In a cross-sectional study, th e prevalence of herpesvirus types 1 (HSV1) and 2 (HSV2) was determined at s tudy entry in 1984-1985 and 1995-1997 among 532 young (aged less than or eq ual to 30 years) homosexual men participating in the Amsterdam Cohort Studi es on HIV/AIDS, Risk factors for the presence of HSV antibodies, including human immunodeficiency virus infection, were evaluated, and their influence on HSV prevalence over time was assessed. A strong decrease in HSV1 and HS V2 seroprevalence, from 80.6% to 59.0% and from 51.3% to 19.0%, respectivel y, was observed between the two time periods. This decrease was not markedl y influenced by various demographic and socioeconomic factors. After data w ere controlled for several markers of sexual activity (such as number of se x partners, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and past episode(s) of gonorrhea), it appeared that the decline in HSV seroprevalence was explaine d by a concurrent decrease in the presence of these markers. The authors co nclude that among young homosexual men in this study, the strong decrease i n HSV seroprevalence was associated with a concurrent shift in sexual behav ior. Furthermore, these data suggest an increasing sexual component in HSV1 transmission over time.