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Using Centralized Laboratory Data to Monitor Trends in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and 2 Infection in British Columbia and the Changing Etiology of Genital Herpes

  • Quantitative Research
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Canadian Journal of Public Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

Understanding the regional epidemiology of genital Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infections is important for clinical and public health practice, due to the increasing availability of type-specific serologic testing in Canada and the contribution of genital HSV-2 infection to ongoing HIV transmission. We used centralized laboratory data to describe trends in viral identifications of genital HSV in BC and assess the utility of these data for ongoing population surveillance.

Methods

Records of viral identifications (1997–2005) were extracted from the Provincial Public Health Microbiology & Reference Laboratory database. Classification as genital or other site was based on documented specimen site. We conducted a descriptive analysis of trends over time, and calculated odds of HSV-1 infection among individuals with genital herpes.

Results

Of 48,183 viral identifications, 56.8% were genital, 10.0% were peri-oral and 9.1% cutaneous; site was unknown for 22.9%. Among genital identifications, HSV-1 infection was more likely in females, younger age groups, and later time periods. The proportion of genital herpes due to HSV-1 increased over time from 31.4% to 42.8% in BC.

Conclusions

Our analysis of population-level laboratory data demonstrates that the proportion of genital herpes due to HSV-1 is increasing over time in BC, particularly among women and younger age groups; this has implications for clinical practice including the interpretation of type-specific serology. Provincial viral identification data are useful for monitoring the distribution of genital HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections over time. Improving clinical documentation of specimen site would improve the utility of these data.

Résumé

Objectifs

En raison de la disponibilité croissante du dépistage sérologique spécifique de type au Canada et du rôle de l’infection génitale à HSV-2 dans la transmission continue du VIH, il est important, pour les cliniciens et les praticiens de la santé publique, de connaître l’épidémiologie régionale des infections par le virus herpès simplex génital (HSV). À l’aide de données de laboratoire centralisées, nous décrivons les tendances des identifications virales de l’herpès génital en Colombie-Britannique et nous évaluons l’utilité de ces données pour la surveillance continue de l’herpès dans la population.

Méthode

Les dossiers d’identifications virales (1997–2005) sont extraits de la base de données Provincial Public Health Microbiology & Reference Laboratory. Notre classification des infections (génitales ou d’autres sites) est basée sur le site de prélèvement indiqué en dossier. Nous avons effectué une analyse descriptive des tendances au fil du temps et calculé les probabilités d’infection à HSV-1 chez les sujets atteints d’herpès génital.

Résultats

Sur 48 183 identifications virales, 56,8 % étaient génitales, 10 % étaient péribuccales, et 9,1 % étaient cutanées; dans 22,9 % des cas, le site n’était pas indiqué. Parmi les identifications génitales, l’infection à HSV-1 était plus probable chez les femmes, dans les groupes d’âge les plus jeunes et durant les périodes plus tardives. La proportion d’herpès génital dû à HSV-1 a augmenté au fil du temps en Colombie-Britannique, passant de 31,4 % à 42,8 %.

Conclusion

Notre analyse des données de laboratoire en population montre que la proportion de l’herpès génital dû à HSV-1 s’accroît au fil du temps en Colombie-Britannique, tout particulièrement chez les femmes et les jeunes, ce qui a des conséquences pour la pratique clinique, y compris l’interprétation de la sérologie spécifique de type. Les données provinciales des identifications virales sont utiles pour surveiller la distribution des infections génitales à HSV-1 et à HSV-2 au fil du temps. En améliorant la consignation du site de prélèvement dans les dossiers cliniques, on rehausserait l’utilité de ces données.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of STI/HIV Prevention and Control, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4R4, Canada

    Mark Gilbert MD, Gina Ogilvie MD & Michael L. Rekart MD

  2. School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Mark Gilbert MD, Gina Ogilvie MD & Michael L. Rekart MD

  3. University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Xuan Li MSc

  4. Provincial Health Services Authority Laboratories, Public Health Microbiology & Reference Laboratory, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Martin Petric PhD, Mel Krajden MD & Judith L. Isaac-Renton MD

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  1. Mark Gilbert MD
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  2. Xuan Li MSc
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  3. Martin Petric PhD
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  4. Mel Krajden MD
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  5. Judith L. Isaac-Renton MD
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  6. Gina Ogilvie MD
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  7. Michael L. Rekart MD
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Correspondence to Mark Gilbert MD.

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Gilbert, M., Li, X., Petric, M. et al. Using Centralized Laboratory Data to Monitor Trends in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and 2 Infection in British Columbia and the Changing Etiology of Genital Herpes. Can J Public Health 102, 225–229 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404902

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404902

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