Seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2 (HSV-2) Infection among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background and Aim: Herpes simplex virus type 2 is a globally significant cause of genital herpes and persists lifelong, with intermittent subclinical shedding driving ongoing transmission. During pregnancy, the infection is of major concern because of mother-to-child transmission, which can result in neonatal herpes associated with severe morbidity and mortality, as well as a heightened risk of HIV acquisition. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HSV-2 infection among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos. Place of Study: The study was conducted at Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, hospital-based study conducted among 94 pregnant women who were screened for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. Sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors and clinical characteristics were analysed in relation to HSV-2 test outcomes. Associations were determined using the chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Of 94 pregnant women screened at Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos, 28 (29.8%) were positive for HSV-2 IgM antibodies. None of the sociodemographic variables (age, occupation, marital status and level of education), sexual and obstetric risk factors (number of sexual partners, condom use, sex during pregnancy and trimester), or clinical manifestations, including fever, vaginal discharge, genital itching, genital blisters/ulcers and pain in the thighs, knees and buttocks, was significantly associated with HSV-2 IgM positivity (p > 0.05). Pain during urination was the only clinical variable significantly associated with HSV-2 IgM positivity (p = 0.032). Conclusion: HSV-2 IgM positivity was observed in 29.8% of the pregnant women studied, with variations across sociodemographic, sexual, obstetric and clinical characteristics. Pain during urination was significantly associated with seropositivity.