Low seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 among pregnant women in Senegal

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is considered as a major co-factor of both sexual transmission and acquisition of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The HIV epidemic in Senegal is characterized by a remarkable and stable low prevalence. Whether HSV-2 may also constitute a possible co-factor favouring the spreading of HIV epidemic in Senegal is yet unknown. This prompted us to evaluate the HSV-2 seroprevalence in the sentinel population of pregnant women in Senegal. Two hundred and sixty pregnant women attending Roi Baudouin maternity in the capital city Dakar (n = 14; 135) and the antenatal clinic in Kaolack (n = 125), the third city of Senegal, were prospectively recruited between March and August 2003. Fifty-six women (22%) were positive for HSV-2 serology. The prevalence of HSV-2 seropositivity was higher in women living in Dakar (26%) than in those living in Kaolack (16%) (P < 0.01). Only two women from Dakar and two other from Kaolack were found to be HIV-1-infected. Our observations suggest a seemingly low seroprevalence of HSV-2 infection in adult women Senegal, comparable with those usually reported in Western countries. Further, epidemiological surveys are needed to confirm these results in the general population.

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].…”

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

“…The sample size was calculated based on HSV 2 seroprevalence of 22% found among pregnant women in Senegal, in Sub-Saharan Africa, to give a 95% confidence level and margin of error of ±5%. 20 We assessed 308 pregnant women for eligibility and excluded those already diagnosed with HSV-2 infection. Of the 280 found eligible, 270 consenting pregnant women with ages ranging between 22 and 44 years were recruited.…”

Low prevalences of HIV infection and HSV genital shedding in the general adult female population in Senegal

“…In a recent survey, the HIV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence was low, estimated at approximately 1% and 15% among pregnant women in Dakar and in Kaolack, respectively, in 2004 [10,11]. In contrast, the HSV-2 seroprevalence in men having sex with men and living in the urban areas of Senegal was much higher, reaching 23% in 2005 [12].…”

“…Furthermore, the HIV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence in FSW in Senegal were reported to be as high as 23% and 25%, respectively, in 2009 [11]. These observations suggest the possibility that HSV-2 infection is a co-factor in HIV transmission in certain high-risk Senegalese populations, rendering it necessary to survey both HIV and HSV-2 epidemics from a public health perspective [10].…”

“…The low prevalence of HSV-2 in Senegal has been recently implicated as an important factor in the low rate of HIV dissemination in Senegal [10]. In a recent survey, the HIV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalence was low, estimated at approximately 1% and 15% among pregnant women in Dakar and in Kaolack, respectively, in 2004 [10,11].…”