Use of a glycoprotein G-based type-specific assay to defect antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 2 among persons attending sexually transmitted disease clinics
Wlh. Whittington et al., Use of a glycoprotein G-based type-specific assay to defect antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 2 among persons attending sexually transmitted disease clinics, SEX TRA DIS, 28(2), 2001, pp. 99-104
Background: Most genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections are
unrecognized, thus, strategies to reduce the sexual transmission of HSV-2
are partly dependent on serologic screening.
Goal: To define performance characteristics of the Gull/ Meridian glycoprot
ein G-based HSV-2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay among sexually transmit
ted disease clinic attendees and correlates of test acceptance.
Study Design: The cross-sectional study was conducted during two periods. S
erologic testing was offered at a US $15 charge during the first period and
at no charge during the second period. Sera were tested by a type-specific
glycoprotein G enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis
, with the latter test used as the reference standard.
Results: Acceptance of HSV-2 testing was associated with free testing (odds
ratio, 7.5; 95% CI, 6.0-9.9), older age, and white race. Sensitivity of th
e HSV-2 assay was 80.5% and specificity was 98.5%. The HSV-2 positive and n
egative predictive values were 95.8% (95% CI, 91.6-98.0%) and 92.2% (95% CI
, 89.6-94.2%), respectively, Antibodies to HSV-2 were detected in 25.9% of
606 persons,vith no history of genital herpes.
Conclusion: Acceptance of HSV-2 serologic testing was cost sensitive. In th
is high-prevalence population, the positive predictive value of the enzyme-
linked immunosorbent assay was sufficient to warrant its use without a conf
irmatory test. This assay could be useful in the screening of sexually acti
ve adults to detect unrecognized HSV-2 infection.