The Epidemiology of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 in Asia: Systematic Review, Meta-analyses, and Meta-regressions.

Abstract

Background Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) epidemiology in Asia was characterized by assessing seroprevalence levels and extent to which HSV-1 is isolated from clinically diagnosed genital ulcer disease (GUD) and genital herpes.

Methods HSV-1 reports in Asia were systematically reviewed and synthesized, following PRISMA guidelines. Random-effects meta-analyses estimated pooled mean seroprevalence and proportion of HSV-1 detection in GUD and genital herpes. Random-effects meta-regressions identified predictors of seroprevalence and sources of between-study heterogeneity.

Results Forty-nine relevant publications were identified. Fifty-four overall seroprevalence measures (182 stratified measures), and 8 and 24 proportions of HSV-1 detection in GUD and in genital herpes, respectively, were extracted. The pooled mean seroprevalence was 50.0% (n = 26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 41.3%-58.7%) for children and 76.5% (n = 151; 73.3%-79.6%) for adults. By age group, the pooled mean was lowest at 55.5% (n = 37; 95% CI, 47.5%-63.4%) in individuals aged

Conclusions HSV-1 epidemiology is transitioning in Asia. HSV-1 is probably playing a significant role as a sexually transmitted infection, explaining one-fifth of genital herpes cases. There is a need for expanded seroprevalence monitoring and GUD/genital herpes etiological surveillance.