Sex Transm Infect

Study finds high global burden of genital herpes infection

December 18, 2024

Study design: Researchers employed a calibrated mathematical model to estimate the global and regional incidence and prevalence of genital HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections, as well as associated genital ulcer disease (GUD), in 2020. The model used data from a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analyses of HSV prevalence across all WHO regions.

Results: In 2020, there were an estimated 25.6 million new HSV-2 infections and 519.5 million prevalent HSV-2 infections among people ages 15 to 49 years. Additionally, there were 16.8 million people with new genital HSV-1 infections and 376.2 million prevalent genital HSV-1 infections in the same age group. The total number of people with at least one episode of HSV-attributable GUD in 2020 was 204.6 million, with 187.9 million due to HSV-2 and 16.7 million due to HSV-1.

Impact on clinical practice: These findings highlight the substantial global burden of genital HSV infections and GUD. New prevention and treatment strategies, including prophylactic and therapeutic HSV vaccines, are needed to reduce disease burden and improve patient outcomes.

Source:

Harfouche M, et al. (2024, December 10). Sex Transm Infect. Estimated global and regional incidence and prevalence of herpes simplex virus infections and genital ulcer disease in 2020: mathematical modelling analyses. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39658199/