PREVALENCE OF THE HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS (TYPES 1 AND 2) AMONG PATIENTS IN THE PLACES OF DETENTION

Abstract

revalence of Herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) и Herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2) in male and female prisoners as well as the analysis of separate psychosocial aspects of the spread of the infection in prisons in Ukraine. Materials and research methods. herpes simplex virus markers, specifically class M and G immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG), have been identified (HSV-1 и HSV-2 in the blood serum in 80 prisoners from the prisons in Ukraine (40 men, average age 38.2 years and 40 women, average age 35.9 years), as well as some social characteristics of the convicts have been analysed. 43 men and 47 women patients of the institute made up the control group. Results. the markers IgG to HSV-1 were diagnosed in 92.5% of cases compared to 97.7% in the control group in male prisoners, and IgG to HSV-2 in 50.0% and 18.6%, respectively. The markers IgG to HSV-1 were diagnosed in 97.5% of cases compared to 91.5% in the control group in imprisoned women, and IgG to HSV-2 in 72.5% and 28.8%, respectively. The Serological markers of IgG to HSV-2 were detected in women 1.5 times more often than in men. Only in the group of prisoners IgM were detected for both types of HSV (in women in 5.0% and in men in 7.5%). Conclusions. the prevalence of IgG antibodies to herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) among prisoners in Ukraine is quite high (95%). The presence of IgG to HSV- 1 practically did not differ from the control levels in the population. IgG to HSV-2 were detected 2.5 times more often than in the general population and 1.5 times more often in women than in men. IgM to both types of HSV were detected only in the group of prisoners. Active herpetic manifestations in the genital area were diagnosed in 17% of the abovementioned patients. However, only 2.5% of prisoners reported a history of herpes in the anamnesis. The risk factors for having HSV-2 were: female gender, age over 35, HIV infection, risky sexual behaviour, drug abuse (up to 80%) and alcoholism (up to 30%), second incarceration, and extensive tattoos (97.5%).