Seroscreening of Men with Bisexual behavior for Genital infections with reference to HSV and other STI viruses

Abstract

The men with bisexual behavior (MBS) contribute to a significant category of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) owing to their promiscuous sexual activities with other men and women. A total of 85 individuals of MBS group along with 153 control group volunteers were serologically screened for two types of HSV adopting ELISA techniques. The MBS group showed overall prevalence of 76% and 56% respectively for HSV-1 and HSV-2. Comparatively lower seroprevalence of HSV-1 among MBS than that of control group indicated the cross reaction and masking effects of symptomatic HSV-2 infections. Detection of selective positivity to IgM or IgG and combined positivity to both types of antibodies indicated primary and reactivated episodic infections of HSV respectively. Occurrences of symptomatic cases among MBS group showing selective and combined positivities to HSV-2 antibodies were statistically significant. Preponderance of symptomatic cases among HSV-1 seropositive MBS group (50-78%) than their HSV-2 counterparts (44-73%) correlated the preferential oral sex and the involvement of HSV-1 in genital infections. Co-prevalence of HIV (20 vs. 27%), HBV (22 vs. 25%), HCV (5 vs. 6%) and CMV (80 vs. 71%) in HSV-1 and HSV-2 seropositive MBS group attributed high risk sexual behavior for STIs. Comparatively higher HIV prevalence in MBS group indicated the possible predisposing role of HSV-2 for infections by other STI viruses.