The purposes of this study are:~To determine the accuracy of commercially available serologic assays in diagnosing patients with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2);~To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the commerical assays using HSV-2 western blot as the gold standard in a diverse patient population;~To develop testing strategies and recommendations for screening asymptomatic populations for HSV-2.~We will evaluate the assays in diverse populations:~STD clinic population~Men who have sex with men, with high prevalence of HIV infection~Pregnant women~The study will inform the development of testing strategies:~Combine commercial tests to optimize positive predict value (PPV) and negative predict value (NPV)~Increase cutoff values to increase PPV~Understand factors associated with false positive results that may include HSV-1 infection, pregnancy status, HIV infection, and age/race etc.
The purposes of this study are:~To determine the accuracy of commercially available serologic assays in diagnosing patients with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2);~To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the commerical assays using HSV-2 western blot as the gold standard in a diverse patient population;~To develop testing strategies and recommendations for screening asymptomatic populations for HSV-2.