Title
Association of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection and syphilis with human immunodeficiency virus infection among men who have sex with men in Peru
Date Issued
15 November 2006
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Publisher(s)
Oxford University Press
Abstract
Background. We evaluated associations between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection, and syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Peru. Methods. A surveillance survey of 3280 MSM was conducted; sexual behavior was assessed with a structured computer-assisted self-interview, and serum antibody testing was performed for HIV, HSV-2, and Treponetnapallidum. Results. HIV, HSV-2, and syphilis seroprevalences of 13.9%, 46.3%, and 13.4% were detected, respectively. HSV-2 seroprevalence was twice as high in HIV-infected subjects (80.5%) than it was in HIV-uninfected subjects (40.8%) (P < .01), and HSV-2 seropositivity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 5.66) was found to be strongly associated with HIV infection. In addition, homosexual self-definition (AOR, 3.12), exchange of sex for money (AOR, 1.61), unprotected sex (no condom) (AOR, 2.81), history of sex work (AOR, 1.89), oral receptive sex (AOR, 1.43), and cocaine use before/during sex (AOR, 2.53) within the preceding 6 months, as well as such sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and STI syndromes as proctitis (AOR, 2.80), genital ulcer disease (GUD) (AOR, 2.06), prior syphilis (AOR, 2.64), genital warts (AOR, 1.70), and self-reported STIs within the preceding 6 months (AOR, 1.61), were also found to be significant predictors of HIV infection. Conclusions. We found a strong association between HSV-2 seropositivity and HIV infection. Intervention measures against GUD due to HSV-2 infection and syphilis, such as routine testing, early detection, HSV-2 suppressive treatment, and condom distribution, need to be enhanced as part of STI prevention strategies at a national level to effectively reduce HIV infection among MSM in Peru. © 2006 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.
Start page
1459
End page
1466
Volume
194
Issue
10
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Inmunología Enfermedades infecciosas
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-33750740444
PubMed ID
Source
Journal of Infectious Diseases
ISSN of the container
00221899
Sponsor(s)
Funding text Financial support: Ministry of Health of Peru; Asociación Civil Impacta Salud y Educación; US National Institutes of Health; Fogarty International Center, University of Washington AIDS International Training and Research (grant D43-TW00007); US Naval Medical Research Center (work unit 62787A.873.H.B0002); US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (work unit 62787A.S17.H.B0002).
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus