BACKGROUND In Asia, HSV seroprevalence studies are sparse and they have recorded lower prevalence of HSV infection, especially HSV-2. AIMS To ascertain the seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in patients attending a STD clinic in a referral hospital in south India and to compare it with a control group. METHODS The study included 135 consecutive STD cases having history of ulcerative or non-u...

BACKGROUND Two previous studies of a herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) subunit vaccine containing glycoprotein D in HSV-discordant couples revealed 73% and 74% efficacy against genital disease in women who were negative for both HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 antibodies. Efficacy was not observed in men or HSV-1 seropositive women. METHODS We conducted a randomized, double-blind efficacy fiel...

After HSV infection, some trigeminal ganglion neurons support productive cycle gene expression, while in other neurons the virus establishes a latent infection. We previously demonstrated that HSV-1 and HSV-2 preferentially establish latent infection in A5+ and KH10+ sensory neurons, respectively, and that exchanging the latency-associated transcript (LAT) between HSV-1 and HSV-2 also exchanges...

BACKGROUND Despite high herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) incidence and prevalence among women in Africa, we are unaware of published neonatal herpes reports. To assess neonatal HSV transmission potential in South Africa, we investigated the frequency of the strongest risk factors: HSV acquisition in late pregnancy and HSV shedding during labor. METHODS Women admitted in early labor to a ho...

Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR-3) and TLR-9 gene expression and interleukin 6 (IL-6) secretion were studied in corneal cells with components of herpes simplex virus (HSV). Human corneal epithelial cells (HCEs) and primary human corneal fibroblasts (HCRFs) were infected with live HSV or UV-inactivated HSV (UV-HSV), transfected with HSV DNA or treated with HSV-anti-HSV IgG immune complexes. Gene expre...

BACKGROUND In spite of the large prevalence and growing incidence of herpes simplex infection (HSV-1 and HSV-2), relatively few large serological surveys are available worldwide and it is still difficult compare frequencies of HSV contaminations in various countries. We present the results of HERPIMAX, the first epidemiological inquiry on HSV prevalence in the general French population. METHO...

Herpes simplex virus meningoencephalitis (HSV ME) is a severe viral infection that affects the brain and surrounding tissues. It caused primarily by HSV type 1 (HSV-1) virus. This condition requires prompt recognition treatment due to its potential for significant morbidity mortality. We aim highlight importance of avoiding common diagnostic pitfalls in identifying meningoencephalitis, especial...

Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is a devastating disease with high mortality, particularly when disseminated. Studies in adults and children suggest that susceptibility to encephalitis (HSE) may represent phenotypes for inborn errors toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) signaling. However, the genetic basis of neonatal HSV including disseminated remains unknown. To test hypothesis variants...

AIMS To investigate the differences in biological properties, multiplication patterns, and cytopathic effects between type 1 and type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV) through the replication of HSV in cultured normal human keratinocytes. METHODS Keratinocytes were obtained from surgical specimens of normal gingiva, cervix, trunk skin, and newborn foreskin. They were cultured in serum free, chemic...

Homo sapiens harbor two distinct, medically significant species of simplexviruses, herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 and HSV-2, with estimated divergence 6-8 million years ago (MYA). Unexpectedly, we found that circulating HSV-2 strains can contain HSV-1 DNA segments in three distinct genes. Using over 150 genital swabs from North and South America and Africa, we detected recombinants worldwide. Com...