Serologic Screening for Genital Herpes Infection: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement

Authors

Carol M. Mangione, University of California, Los Angeles.
Michael J. Barry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Wanda K. Nicholson, George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Michael Cabana, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York.
David Chelmow, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.
Tumaini Rucker Coker, University of Washington, Seattle.
Esa M. Davis, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Katrina E. Donahue, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Carlos Roberto Jaén, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
Martha Kubik, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.
Li Li, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
Gbenga Ogedegbe, New York University, New York, New York.
Lori Pbert, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester.
John M. Ruiz, University of Arizona, Tucson.
James Stevermer, University of Missouri, Columbia.
John B. Wong, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2-14-2023

Journal

JAMA

Volume

329

Issue

6

DOI

10.1001/jama.2023.0057

Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by 2 related viruses, herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2). Infection is lifelong; currently, there is no cure for HSV infection. Antiviral medications may provide clinical benefits to symptomatic persons. Transmission of HSV from a pregnant person to their infant can occur, most commonly during delivery; when genital lesions or prodromal symptoms are present, cesarean delivery can reduce the risk of transmission. Neonatal herpes infection is uncommon yet can result in substantial morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To reaffirm its 2016 recommendation, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a reaffirmation evidence update on targeted key questions to systematically evaluate the evidence on accuracy, benefits, and harms of routine serologic screening for HSV-2 infection in asymptomatic adolescents, adults, and pregnant persons. POPULATION: Adolescents and adults, including pregnant persons, without known history, signs, or symptoms of genital HSV infection. EVIDENCE ASSESSMENT: The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that the harms outweigh the benefits for population-based screening for genital HSV infection in asymptomatic adolescents and adults, including pregnant persons. RECOMMENDATION: The USPSTF recommends against routine serologic screening for genital HSV infection in asymptomatic adolescents and adults, including pregnant persons. (D recommendation).

APA Citation

Mangione, Carol M.; Barry, Michael J.; Nicholson, Wanda K.; Cabana, Michael; Chelmow, David; Coker, Tumaini Rucker; Davis, Esa M.; Donahue, Katrina E.; Jaén, Carlos Roberto; Kubik, Martha; Li, Li; Ogedegbe, Gbenga; Pbert, Lori; Ruiz, John M.; Stevermer, James; and Wong, John B., "Serologic Screening for Genital Herpes Infection: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement" (2023). GW Authored Works. Paper 2401.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/2401

Department

Prevention and Community Health