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Diagnostics
Millions of people around the world suffer from clinical recurrences
of herpesvirus infections of the oral and genital types. Because
HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted virus, public concern about it is
high, especially among sexually active men and women. Yet, ironically,
clinically visible signs of infection are infrequently observed
by most patients or their physicians because the virus remains in
a latent, clinically undetectable state most of the time.
HSV-2 increases the risk of infection with HIV (human immunodeficiency
virus), and it is commonly found in patients with other sexually
transmitted diseases (STD), including cervical cancer the risk of
which increases with increased sexual activity (behaves as an STD).
HSV-2 can also cause severe hyperproliferative lesions that are
difficult to diagnose.
A large population sector in need of diagnostic information about
HSV-2 consists of pregnant women. Simple, safe, rapid and inexpensive
diagnostic tests for HSV-2 are needed.
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