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

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.