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Bacterial Vaginosis Increases Risk for Herpes
A recent investigation from the Magee-Womens Research Institute and the University of Pittsburgh has found an apparent link between the common gynaecological disorder bacterial vaginosis (BV) and an increased risk for the acquisition of herpes.23/07/2003
© Picture Disk/Keith Brofsky
"We found that women with BV were nearly twice as likely to get herpes as women who did not have BV," said Thomas L. Cherpes, M.D., a University of Pittsburgh infectious disease fellow. "The presence of BV seems to increase susceptibility to herpes infection in women."
BV is characterised by an increase in vaginal alkalinity and substitution of beneficial bacteria, particularly those that produce hydrogen peroxide, with more toxic bacteria. The resulting lack of hydrogen peroxide in the vaginal flora is believed to result in diminished defence against sexually transmitted diseases.
The study involved 1,248 sexually active women 18 to 30 years of age. After initial screening for BV and HSV-2 status, the women returned three more times at four-month intervals for follow-up testing. At each visit, vaginal swabs and blood samples were collected for subsequent evaluation.
Out of the 670 women who were negative for HSV-2 at enrolment, 32 acquired antibodies to HSV-2 during the study period. When adjusted for other variables, it became clear that the presence of BV was a significant indicator of risk for subsequent HSV-2 infection when compared with women who had normal vaginal flora.
"It seems likely that more comprehensive screening and appropriate treatment could reduce susceptibility to HSV-2," said Dr. Hillier. Unlike HSV-2, which typically has a life-long duration of infection, BV can often be effectively treated with a short course of antibiotics.
Findings appear in the August issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases
MEDICA.de, Source: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine .
Messe Düsseldorf