Seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type -2 IgG Among Pregnant Women Attending Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand

Background:  Infection with herpes simplex is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. It is common in women of reproductive age as it can be contracted and transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy resulting in miscarriage, premature labor, inhibited fetal growth or transmission of the infection to the infant leading to death or long-term disabilities. Objective : This study aimed to detect seroprevalence of HSV-2 IgG antibodies among pregnant women. Methods :  Serum samples from 218 pregnant women attending Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand were takenfrom (October 2012 to September 2015) and further analysed with commercial HSV type-2 specific IgG Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISACalbiotech) kits. Results: Of the 218 pregnant women, 76(34.86%) were seropositive and 142(65.13%) were seronegative for HSV 2 IgG antibody. Seroprevalence of HSV IgG group was 51 (57.12%), 14 (22.58%), and 11 (25.0%) for first, second and third trimester, respectively with seropositivity being highest for first trimester followed by second and third trimester. Astatistical association existed between the prevalence of HSV-2 IgG antibodies and history of abortion and gravidarum studied (p 0.05). Conclusion: Our data shows that HSV-2 IgG seropositivity among pregnant women in Ranchi, Jharkhand is high; thus serological screening for HSV might be advisable for antenatal attendees for the possibility of HSV infection so that infectivity could be minimized by proper medication and vaccine should be introduced for HSV.