Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and 2 among Women Attending Antenatal and Gynecology Clinics in Sana'a City-Yemen

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the worldwide infections. HSV-1 causes herpes labial and HSV-2 is the main cause of genital ulcer. Host's immune response to HSV defines by the presence of neutralizing antibodies to HSV in serum of newly and previously infected persons. A cross-sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence of HSV antibodies and potential risk factors of HSV infections among women attending some hospitals and health centers in Sana'a city based on type-specific serological assay. HSV-1 differs from HSV-2 by the type-specific enveloped glycoprotein G (gG). This is the base of typespecific ELISA, which is more accurate than ELISA using common antigens. In our knowledge, there are no previous published studies or recorded data regarding the seroprevalence of HSV in Yemen. Moreover, there is no guideline of diagnosis or treatment of HSV infections in women; especially pregnant women. A total of 315 women, including 235 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) patients, 48 herpes labial patients (HLP) and 32 apparently healthy women were enrolled in this study. Of the studied women, 307 were married and 8 were single, their ages range from14-49 years. Among married women; 53 were pregnant. The total seroprevalence was 2.5% for HSV IgM, 99.4% for HSV-1 IgG and 5.1% for HSV-2 IgG. There were statistically non-significant association between herpes infections and age, size of family, educational level, residence, marital status, pregnancy, abortion, blood transfusion and contraceptive use. In conclusion, the prevalence of HSV-1 antibodies was much higher than that of HSV-2. The prevalence of HSV-1 antibodies was higher than those reported in other countries which could be due to poor hygienic conditions in Yemen. The prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies was lower than those reported in other studies; which is probably due to the differences in sexual practices among these cultures.

Seroprevalence of HSV1 among Taiz University lecturers, Officers and students

“…In this study, the highest seropositive was 100% (11/11, 3/3) and among age groups 46-55 and (3/3) 56-65 years old. Other study in Yemen, showed highest seroprevalence for HSV1 among women was 100 % 108/108) in age 14-24 years old, > 46 years old (33). In comparison, the lowest seroprevalence was 98.28 (25/28) in age group 26-35 years old.…”

“…(313/315) (33). Neighbor country, KSA population had seroprevalence of HSV1 was 90% and decreased to 88.7% ( 4425 /4985) ( 66 , 67 )…”

“…Moreover, postnatally acquired HSV infection mediated by direct contact with HSV-infected persons, usually from an orolabial or cutaneous source (32). In Yemen, Assayaghi et al, showed the HSV1 100% women with age in 14-24, > 46 years old (33). While another study was conducted in Yemen for pregnant women in Dhamar, showed that HSV1 infection rate was 6% in women) (34).…”

Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type-2 among pregnant women in Wad Madani-Sudan: a cross sectional study

“…(2017) in Yemen (p-value 0.6, 0.4) and Oluwapelumi et al (2020). 28,29 Another study by Mezher et al (2018) indicated that the detection of HSV-2 in women who had a history of abortion was higher than in pregnant, and that may improve the probability of this virus as one of the main viral agents that cause abortion. Many studies have suggested that HSV-2 infection may be a risk factor for miscarriage abortion; nevertheless, HSV-2 infection was detected in a small percentage of women with a history of abortion, suggesting that HSV infection is unlikely to be a major factor in abortion.…”