Psychosocial factors affecting genital herpes recurrences: Linear vs mediating models

doi:10.1016/0022-3999(89)90043-3

Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Volume 33, Issue 2, 1989, Pages 161-166

https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(89)90043-3 Get rights and content

Abstract

Psychosocial factors (emotional distress, stress, health locus of control, and social support) and genital herpes activity (episode frequency, severity, and duration) were assessed for 46 individuals with recurrent genital herpes infections (HSV) in order to predict psychosocial status associated with herpes episodes. Multiple regression analyses revealed that stress and emotional distress accounted for 52% of HSV episode frequency variance, whereas 49% of the episode severity variance was determined by emotional distress and health locus of control. The buffering effects of time and health locus of control were functional only for herpes frequency. Linear predictive models appear to offer a better opportunity for understanding how psychosocial factors affect genital herpes outbreaks than do interactive or buffering models. Results were discussed in terms of the biopsychosocial model of health.

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Objective: Genital herpes (Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2, HSV-2) is a significant public health problem for HIV+ women, who have high rates of HSV-2 seropositivity and elevated risk for HSV-2 associated morbidity and mortality. Life stress has been identified as a co-factor in genital herpes recurrence. However, no research has evaluated the relationship between stress and genital herpes recurrences in HIV+ women. The purpose of this study was to determine whether stress was associated with symptomatic genital herpes recurrences in women seropositive for HIV and HSV-2. Methods: Thirty-four HIV-infected African–American and Caribbean–American women underwent a psychosocial interview, blood draw and gynecologic examination to assess gynecologic symptoms (including genital herpes) at study entry. Life stress was measured using a 10-item modified version of the Life Experiences Survey (LES). Genital herpes recurrence over 1-year follow-up was abstracted using medical chart review. Results: Using hierarchical linear regression analysis, life stress at study entry was significantly associated with number of genital herpes recurrences during 1-year follow-up (β=.38, P=.03) after controlling for HIV disease variables and relevant behavioral factors. Recent life stress, in particular, was highly predictive of genital herpes recurrence during follow-up (β=.57, P=.002). The relationship between life stress and genital herpes recurrence persisted after controlling for HSV-2 viral reactivation (i.e., HSV-2 IgG titers) at study entry. Conclusion: These findings suggest that stress may be a significant predictor of genital herpes recurrence in women with HIV and HSV-2. Stress management interventions may buffer HSV-related morbidity and mortality in women with HIV.
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Stress has been shown to modulate an individual’s immune system through the release of certain signal molecules such as catecholamines, cytokines and glucocorticoids. These signal molecules can significantly alter the host immune system and leave it susceptible to a primary or recurrent viral infection. Focusing on herpes simplex virus types-1 and -2 as examples, the authors explain how stress-associated immunomodulation can influence the recurrence of herpes simplex viral infections. Specific signal molecules such as epinephrine, interleukin-6, cyclic adenosine monophosphate, glucocorticoids and prostaglandins are upregulated during episodes of acute and chronic stress and have been implicated as effectors of herpes simplex viral reactivation and recurrent disease. The authors suggest that the release of immunomodulating signal molecules due to stress can compromise the host’s cellular immune response and trigger herpes simplex viral reactivation.
Psychosocial influences on immune responses to HSV-1 infection in BALB/c mice
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The effects of differential housing (one or four mice/cage) on T-helper (Th) cell markers of cellular and humoral immune responses were examined. Differentially housed male BALB/cJ mice were infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 (Patton strain), andin vitrocytokine production [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, and interferon (IFN)-γ] by splenocytes and popliteal lymph node cells and serum antibody titers (IgM and IgG) were evaluated. Differential housing of male BALB/c mice influenced the magnitude, but not the kinetics, of some, but not all, immune responses to HSV-1. Splenocytes from individually housed mice produced more IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-10 than splenocytes from group-housed mice; in popliteal lymph node cells, only IFN-γ and IL-10 production was influenced by housing. Although the social environment influenced cytokine production, there were no concomitant changes in circulating IgM or IgG antibody titers. These results do not support the hypothesis that dominant Th cell responses are the primary targets of this psychosocial manipulation, or that a reciprocal relationship exists between Th1 and Th2 cell-derived cytokines.
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Psychosocial factors affecting genital herpes recurrences: Linear vs mediating models

Abstract

J psychosom Res

J Am dent Ass

J psychosom Res

Oral acyclovir, palliative therapy for genital herpes: will it change the epidemiology?

Sex Trans Dis

A double-blind study of oral acyclovir for suppression of recurrences of genital herpes simplex virus infections

N Engl J Med

Stress and the transformation of lymphocytes by Epstein-Barr virus

J behav Med

Prediction of the incidence of recurrent herpes labialis and systemic illness from psychological measurements

J dent Res

Psychosocial aspects of genital herpes virus infections

Hlth Psych

The psychological and behavioral effects of genital herpes in women

Dis Abs Inter

The relationship of genital herpes and life stress as moderated by locus ofcontrol and social support