[Direct detection of Herpes simplex virus using monoclonal antibodies in pregnant women].

HSV infections are the cause of 15%-25% of all venereal diseases. According to the rise of genital HSV infections a similar rise in seriously infected newborn babies can be expected. We obtained 159 cervix smears from 114 pregnant women for a direct test with monoclonal antibodies against HSV I and HSV II infections in the obstetrical division of the University Clinic Frankfurt. 17 (14.9%) of the 114 patients were discovered to be infected with HSV. Blood samples of 15 of these women were examined for IgG and IgM antibodies against HSV I and HSV II. Four samples were negative for IgG and IgM antibodies, 11 samples had visible IgG antibodies but no IgM antibodies could be seen. The direct proof of monoclonal antibodies is simple and quickly obtainable in any laboratory and thus is an improvement towards quick diagnosis and typing of HSV infections. An overall screening of HSV infections in pregnant women does not seem recommendable since the antepartal result does not correlate to the risk of infection during delivery.