TY - JOUR
T1 - Sex with women as a risk factor for herpes simplex virus type 2 among young men who have sex with men in Baltimore
AU - Mark, Hayley D.
AU - Sifakis, Frangiscos
AU - Hylton, John B.
AU - Celentano, David D.
AU - Mackellar, Duncan A.
AU - Valleroy, Linda A.
AU - Zenilman, Jonathan
PY - 2005/11
Y1 - 2005/11
N2 - Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 is common among MSM and is a risk factor for transmission of HIV. The findings of studies investigating the relationship between infection with HSV-2 and number of sex partners among MSM are inconsistent and rarely distinguish between male and female partners. Goal: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for infection with HSV-2, including the number and gender of sex partners, in a group of MSM in Baltimore, MD. Study: This was a cross-sectional study among young MSM in Baltimore. Results: Of the blood samples from 824 participants, 19.3% had HSV-2 antibodies. After adjusting for known HSV-2 correlates, independent predictors of HSV-2 seropositivity included HIV seropositivity, black race, older age, number of lifetime female sex partners, recent unprotected receptive anal intercourse with a man. Conclusions: This study suggests that female sex partners may be an important source of HSV-2 infection among young bisexual MSM. After adjusting for known HSV-2 correlates, the number of lifetime female but not male sex partners was independently associated with HSV-2. These results highlight the need for HSV-2 prevention and treatment efforts targeting MSM who also have sex with women. Future investigations of HSV-2 and sexual behavior among MSM need to distinguish between male and female sex partners.
AB - Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 is common among MSM and is a risk factor for transmission of HIV. The findings of studies investigating the relationship between infection with HSV-2 and number of sex partners among MSM are inconsistent and rarely distinguish between male and female partners. Goal: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for infection with HSV-2, including the number and gender of sex partners, in a group of MSM in Baltimore, MD. Study: This was a cross-sectional study among young MSM in Baltimore. Results: Of the blood samples from 824 participants, 19.3% had HSV-2 antibodies. After adjusting for known HSV-2 correlates, independent predictors of HSV-2 seropositivity included HIV seropositivity, black race, older age, number of lifetime female sex partners, recent unprotected receptive anal intercourse with a man. Conclusions: This study suggests that female sex partners may be an important source of HSV-2 infection among young bisexual MSM. After adjusting for known HSV-2 correlates, the number of lifetime female but not male sex partners was independently associated with HSV-2. These results highlight the need for HSV-2 prevention and treatment efforts targeting MSM who also have sex with women. Future investigations of HSV-2 and sexual behavior among MSM need to distinguish between male and female sex partners.
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U2 - 10.1097/01.olq.0000175402.55952.d7
DO - 10.1097/01.olq.0000175402.55952.d7
M3 - Article
C2 - 16254544
AN - SCOPUS:27944506399
SN - 0148-5717
VL - 32
SP - 691
EP - 695
JO - Sexually transmitted diseases
JF - Sexually transmitted diseases
IS - 11
ER -