Herpes simplex virus type 2: Seroprevalence in antenatal women

Abstract

Aims:To determine the seroprevalence of herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) infection in pregnant females, assess the frequency of unrecognized infection and identify the demographic profile and risk factors associated with the seroprevalence.Materials and Methods:Two hundred randomly selected, asymptomatic pregnant females attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Department for a routine antenatal check-up constituted the study group. Serum specimens were screened for HSV-2 infection by detecting IgG class antibodies against HSV-2-specific glycoprotein G-2 using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.Results:A seroprevalence of 7.5% was found in our study. Seropositivity was maximum in the age group ≥30 years (22.20%), followed by 26–30 years (9.7%), 21–25 years (2.20%) and ≤20 years (0%). HSV-2 seropositivity was found to be significantly associated with increasing age, parity, number of sexual partners, duration of sexual activity and history of abortions (P < 0.05). No statistically significant correlation was observed between seropositivity and other demographic variables such as place of residence, education, annual family income and occupation (P > 0.05). No statistically significant association of seropositivity with present or past history suggestive of other sexually transmitted infections was found. None of our cases tested positive for human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV).Conclusion:A relatively low prevalence of HSV-2 seropositivity was found in our study, with a high frequency of unrecognized and asymptomatic infections. Our findings suggest that type-specific serotesting could be an efficient strategy to diagnose clinically asymptomatic HSV-2 infections and, therefore, to reduce the risk of HSV-2 and HIV sexual transmission by prophylactic counseling against unprotected intercourse. It may also be a useful adjunct in detecting cases who present with symptoms not directly suggestive of genital herpes.

Sexual behavioral correlates with HSV-2 seroprevalence among pregnant women in Nigeria

“…Although this seroprevalence result falls within the range of 30%-80% found among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa [11], it is higher than HSV-2 seroprevalences found in several studies among populations of pregnant women in the sub-Saharan Africa region: 20.7% and 33.6% from different locations in Tanzania [12,13]; and 26% in Senegal [14]. This figure is still remarkably higher than findings from studies on pregnant populations outside Africa: 7.5% in India [15], 11.5% in Australia [16], 14.5% in Mexico [17], and 22% in USA [18]. The implication of this finding is that HSV-2 transmission in Benin, Nigeria is efficient; and it indicates that there could be underlying peculiar factors in the environment that enable the sustenance of such a high level of transmission efficiency.…”

Seroprevalence of TORCH infections in antenatal and HIV positive patient populations

“…There were marked difference in positivity rates for HSV serpositivity as depicted in table. 7,8 In one older studied done by Seth et al observed Rubella serpositivity in female populations. 9 Seroepidemiologic survey done by Seth P et al showed serpositivity of 80% of women of childbearing age (15e34 years) in three cities of northern India, 56.8% of such women in Calcutta in eastern India and 100% in Delhi.…”

Sexual behavioural correlates of herpes simplex virus type 2 infections among pregnant women in South-western Nigeria

“…3,11,22 The inconsistent use of condom with their sexual partners prevailed (57.8%) among the HSV-2 sero-positive women and this was observed in similar studies on pregnant women. 7,[21][22][23][24] This is of great concern as HSV-2 transmission can occur in long-standing monogamous relationships, and the virus may be transmitted to a susceptible partner after a long time of unprotected sexual contact with an asymptomatic but infected partner. 7 There is need for consistent use of condom as nearly everyone, with genital HSV-2 infection sheds virus intermittently without symptoms.…”

“…[1][2][3] The occurrence of genital herpes among pregnant women is associated with several complications particularly the transmission of the virus to their newborn. [4][5][6][7] Compared with recurrent HSV-2 infection, the risk of transmission from mother to newborn can increase 10-fold in maternal primary infection in pregnancy, particularly the third trimester. 2,5 The maternal disease is associated with definite risks for neonatal meningoencephalitis or disseminated herpes.…”