Epidemiology of genital herpes (HSV-2) among brothel based female sex workers in Bangladesh.

A prospective study was carried out to determine the prevalence of herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) in Bangladeshi female sex workers. Serum samples were collected from 463 female prostitutes and tested by ELISA using type specific antigens (gG1 and gG2). There were 405 (87.5%) samples seropositive for both HSV-1 and HSV-2, 24 (5.2%) samples were seropositive for only HSV-1, a further 33 (7.1%) samples were seropositive for HSV-2 only and one sample was found to be negative. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing was also performed and all samples were found to be negative. Surveillance studies are needed for development and application of control and preventative measures. The prostitute population in Bangladesh is particularly at risk of acquiring and transmitting HSV-2 and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).