Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 among the Indigenous population of Cape York, Far North Queensland, Australia

Background: The objective of this study was to obtain representative seroprevalence data for the Indigenous population of Far North Queensland by measuring the age-and sex-specific seroprevalence of the herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) in Cape York. Methods: A cross-sectional seroprevalence study was conducted using de-identified serum samples collected from Indigenous patients living in Cape York, aged 16 years or older, who sought medical care between August 2007 and May 2008. An age-and sex-stratified random sample of 270 sera was tested for the presence of antibodies to HSV-1 and HSV-2 using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Indeterminate results were resolved with western blot. Results: The overall seroprevalence for the Indigenous population of Cape York was 97.8% for HSV-1 and 58.5% for HSV-2. There was a statistically significant difference in HSV-2 seroprevalence according to sex (P < 0.001). Females were more likely to be HSV-2 seropositive compared with males (72.1% and 43.8%, respectively). Conclusions: This is the first study to report on the seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 among the Indigenous population of Cape York. This study has identified a population with an extremely high prevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection. The seroprevalence of HSV-2 in this population was found to be five times higher than that reported for the general adult Australian population. These results will be invaluable to the implementation of appropriate prevention and control strategies against HSV infection and are especially important considering the strong association between HSV-2 and the acquisition and transmission of HIV.