Prevalence and risk factors for herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among adolescents and adults in Northern Cameroon

Background. A number of surveys have reported a high prevalence of herpes s implex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection in south central and east central Afr ica. Goal: To evaluate the distribution and modes of HSV-2 transmission in north ern Cameroon. Study Design: A serosurvey was conducted among 194 adolescents and adults i n a Cameroon hospital. Antibodies against HSV-2 were detected by a gG2-spec ific enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. Results: The prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies was found to be 37.1%. In the m ultivariate analysis, female gender, no condom use, a positive syphilis ser ology, and HIV infection were significantly associated with HSV-2 infection . Conclusions: The current findings show that the HSV-2 seroprevalence in nor thern Cameroon is high and similar to that found in other African countries . HSV-2 infection represents a marker for at-risk sexual behavior and may b e a common cofactor for HIV transmission in this geographic area.