Herpes simplex virus type 1 epidemiology in Latin America and the Caribbean: Systematic review and meta-analytics

PLoS One. 2019 Apr 22;14(4):e0215487. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215487. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the epidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Methods: Systematic review and meta-analytics guided by the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook and reported following the PRISMA guidelines.

Results: Thirty-three relevant reports were identified including 35 overall (and 95 stratified) seroprevalence measures, and five and nine proportions of virus isolation in genital ulcer disease (GUD) and in genital herpes, respectively. Pooled mean seroprevalence was 57.2% (95% CI: 49.7-64.6%) among children and 88.4% (95% CI: 85.2-91.2%) among adults. Pooled mean seroprevalence was lowest at 49.7% (95% CI: 42.8-56.6%) in those aged ≤10, followed by 77.8% (95% CI: 67.9-84.8%) in those aged 10-20, 82.8% (95% CI: 73.1-90.8%) in those aged 20-30, 92.5% (95% CI: 89.4-95.1%) in those aged 30-40, and 94.2% (95% CI: 92.7-95.5%) in those aged ≥40. Age was the strongest source of heterogeneity in seroprevalence, explaining 54% of variation. Evidence was found for seroprevalence decline over time. Pooled mean proportion of HSV-1 isolation was 0.9% (95% CI: 0.0-3.6%) in GUD and 10.9% (95% CI: 4.4-19.4%) in genital herpes.

Conclusions: HSV-1 is a widely prevalent infection in this region, but its epidemiology may be slowly transitioning, with still limited contribution for HSV-1 in genital herpes.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Caribbean Region / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Herpes Genitalis / diagnosis
  • Herpes Genitalis / epidemiology*
  • Herpes Genitalis / virology
  • Herpes Simplex / diagnosis
  • Herpes Simplex / epidemiology*
  • Herpes Simplex / virology
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / physiology
  • Humans
  • Latin America / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Ulcer / diagnosis
  • Ulcer / epidemiology*
  • Ulcer / virology

Grants and funding

This publication was made possible by NPRP grant number 9-040-3-008 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation) to LJA-R. The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. The authors are also grateful for pilot funding provided by the Biomedical Research Program and infrastructure support provided by the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Biomathematics Research Core, both at Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar to LJA-R.