Recombinant Glycoprotein Vaccine for the Prevention of Genital HSV-2 Infection

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) seroprevalence has increased by 32% in the last decade.¹ Overall, HSV-2 seroprevalence is 22% in the general US adult population, and in some populations, such as sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attendees, seroprevalence varies between 30% and 50%.^1-5 Concomitant with this increase in genital herpes has been an increase in reported cases of neonatal herpes.⁶ Also, risk of neonatal HSV infection is greater in the setting of new maternal infection during the third trimester of pregnancy than in the setting of established maternal infection.⁷ Thus, an effective method for control of genital HSV is of major public health importance. A reduction in HSV-2 prevalence would also reduce the influence of HSV-2 infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 1 acquisition and transmission.^8-10