Seropositivity and determinants of immunoglobulin-G (IgG) antibodies against Herpes simplex virus (HSV) types -1 and -2 in pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: This study is the first documented prevalence of IgG antibody against HSV-1&-2 in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and thus provides baseline data for future in-depth studies on HSV infection in South-South, Nigeria. Objective: This study determined the seropositivity and determinants of serum IgG antibody against HSV-1 & HIV-2 among pregnant women attending BMSH, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Methods: Serum samples from 180 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Serum samples were analysed with commercial HSV type-1&-2 specific IgG Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits. Chi-square analysis was used to determine the association of infection with socio-demographic variables. Results: Of the 180 pregnant women, 179 (99.4%) were seropositive and 1(0.6%) was seronegative for HSV 1&2 IgG antibody. No statistical association existed between the prevalence of HSV-1&-2 IgG antibodies and the socio-demographic variables studied (p>0.05) except for marital status which was significantly associated (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our data shows that HSV-1 & 2 seropositivity among pregnant women in Port Harcourt is high; thus serological screening for HSV-1&-2 might be advisable for antenatal attendees.

Vertical transmission of herpes simplex virus: an update

“…The prevalence varies from country to country, which is well illustrated by the fact that in Nigeria 99.4 % of pregnant women were seropositive for anti‐HSV‐1 and HSV‐2 IgG antibodies, while in South Africa the seroprevalence of HSV‐2 infection was 58.7 %. Ethiopia had the lowest rate of African countries, with 32.1 % . Similar to Ethiopia, the overall weighted prevalence of HSV‐2 was 31.4 % in Haiti, while in Korea, Kim et al.…”

Immune Response to Herpes Simplex Virus Infection and Vaccine Development

“…There are two types of Herpes simplex viruses, Herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2). These viruses cause lifelong infections that are among the most common viral infections worldwide [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. As part of the global effort to control the infections caused by these viruses, many vaccines have been developed [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]; however, to date, none has been licensed for use in humans.…”

Vertikale Übertragung des Herpes‐simplex‐Virus: eine Aktualisierung

“…Während in Nigeria 99,4 % [4] der Schwangeren seropositiv für IgG‐Antikörper gegen HSV‐1 und HSV‐2 waren, lag die Seroprävalenz für HSV‐2 in Südafrika bei 58,7 % . Äthiopien hat mit 32,1 % die niedrigste Quote der afrikanischen Länder . Ähnlich wie in Äthiopien betrug die gewichtete Gesamtprävalenz von HSV‐2 in Haiti 31,4 %, während HSV‐2 laut Kim et al.…”