Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence and associated factors in fertility-treatment-seeking population: A cross-sectional survey in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

BackgroundHerpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a common genitally-transmitted viral infection affecting more than 400 million individuals globally. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in specific at-risk population groups, the burden of HSV-2 has not been reported. This study investigated the prevalence of HSV-2 IgG antibodies in patients seeking fertility treatment and characterized patients with seropositivity to HSV-2 IgG antibodies.MethodologyA cross-sectional sample of patients seeking fertility treatment in a major fertility clinic in Abu Dhabi, UAE was surveyed from April to May 2021. Patients were consecutively invited to complete self-administered questionnaires and provide blood for HSV-2 testing. Information on sociodemographics, medical history, and infertility was collected. Serum specimens were screened using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for HSV-2 IgG antibodies detection.ResultsTwo hundred and ninety-nine patients were surveyed and provided blood samples. The mean age of the patients was 35.9 ± 6.8 [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] years with 89.3% being women. Sixty-six percent were overweight or obese, 25.0% had at least one chronic comorbidity, and 19.6% reported ever-had genital infection. More than two-thirds (68.3%) of the patients were infertile for ≥ 6 months. Of the 42 infertile males, 69.0% had an abnormal semen analysis. HSV-2 IgG antibodies was detected in 12.4% of patients. The HSV-2 IgG seropositive patients had a higher mean age (39.5 vs. 35.4 years; p < 0.001) compared to seronegative patients. HSV-2 IgG antibodies seropositivity was more common in males (15.6%) than females (12.0%), in patients with secondary (14.1%) vs. primary (9.2%) infertility, or in males with abnormal (10.3%) vs. normal (7.7%) semen.ConclusionExposure to HSV-2 at any time in patients seeking fertility treatment in the UAE was found to be slightly common in more than one out of 10 patients. Tailored health campaigns on HSV-2 prevention are warranted.

The burden of infertility in North-Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a High-Fertility Region: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In a study conducted in China by Han et al [52], the prevalence of TOX, CMV and RV was found to be 3.20% (95% CI: 3.18-3.22%), 77.67% (95% CI: 77.62-77.71%) and 76.03% (95% CI: 75.98-76.07%), respectively. Abdo et al [53] in the United Arab Emirates reported a prevalence of 12.4% for HSV-2. A multitude of factors, including nutritional status, vaccination status, socio-cultural habits, geographical and climatic variations, route of transmission, age, and others, in uence the prevalence of TORCH infections.…”

The Interplay of Genital Herpes with Cellular Processes: A Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Perspective

“…In natural human infections, HSV-2 primarily spreads through intimate genital tract contact, resulting in persistent infection [14]. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 491 million sexually active individuals aged 14-49 harbor HSV-2, with an estimated 12% global prevalence of genital herpes in 2015 [15][16][17]. Approximately 400 million people are at risk of genital herpes with latent persistence, with women having a twofold higher seropositivity than men [18][19][20].…”

“…HSV-2 primarily manifests as genital ulcer disease (GUD) and can cause neonatal infections, inflammation, and, less frequently, ocular infections, encephalitis, and meningitis [8,[30][31][32][33][34][35]. Immunocompromised individuals and neonates face more severe HSV-2 infections due to various genetic, immune, and epigenetic factors [17,28].…”

“…HSV-2 primarily manifests as genital ulcer disease (GUD) and can cause neonatal infections, inflammation, and, less frequently, ocular infections, encephalitis, and meningitis [8,[30][31][32][33][34][35]. Immunocompromised individuals and neonates face more severe HSV-2 infections due to various genetic, immune, and epigenetic factors [17,28]. The available treatments for HSV-2, including nucleoside analogs like acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, reduce symptoms but fail to eliminate the virus [27,36,37].…”