Sero-prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in Rakai district, Uganda

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is sexually transmitted and causes one of the genital ulcerative diseases associated with the transmis sion of human immunodeficiency virus type I(HIV-1). Objective: To determine the prevalence of serological reactivity to a type specific HSV-2 antigen (gG2) ELISA assay. Setting: Rakai district, Uganda, Subjects: Two hundred and one serum samples of persons aged 15-54 years. Th e sampels were randomly selected by a computer programme. Results: Out of the 201 serum samples selected, 117 (58.2 %) had serologica l evidence of HSV-2 infection. Twenty nine (32.2 %) out of the 74 males and 88 (69.3 %) out of the 127 females, respectively, had serological evidence of HSV-2 infection giving a female:male ratio of 1.8 (95% C1 1.3-2.4). The most important risk factor for acquisition of HSV-2 in males was found to be age while in the females, the most important risk factors were age and t he number of sexual partners in the previous five years. Conclusion: HSV-2 was highly prevalent in this rural population of Uganda.