HSV-2 isolation in GUD and genital herpes
The proportions of people with HSV-2 virus isolation in clinically diagnosed cases of genital ulcer disease and genital herpes are presented in Table 4 . Most studies on HSV isolation in GUD (n=3, 75.0%) and in genital herpes (n=17, 70.8%) were published after 2005.
In patients with GUD (n=8), HSV-2 seroprevalence ranged from 12.1% to 70.9%, with a median of 55.3 %. Pooled seroprevalence was 45.2% (95% CI: 29.0-61.9%), with 48.2 % (95% CI: 22.0-74.9%) among women and 42.2% (95% CI: 21.1-64.8%) among men.
In genital herpes cases (n=59), HSV-2 seroprevalence ranged from 15.4 % to 100.0%, with a median of 48.3%. Pooled seroprevalence was 52.8% (95% CI: 46.6-59.0%), with 55.2 % (95% CI: 40.1-69.8%) among women and 47.5% (95% CI: 31.8-63.5%) among men.
Significant heterogeneity was found between studies (P -value <0.001, I2>95%). Forest plots of the proportion of HSV-2 isolated in GUD and genital herpes are presented in Figure S2.