Yonsei Med J.  2012 Mar;53(2):401-407. 10.3349/ymj.2012.53.2.401.

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Infection Rate and Necessity of Screening during Pregnancy: A Clinical and Seroepidemiologic Study

• Kim ID
• Chang HS
• Hwang KJ

• KMID: 1120209
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2012.53.2.401

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study determined the seroprevalence of herpes virus 2 in gravidas and the differences between herpes virus 2-infected and healthy gravidas. The need to screen gravidas for herpes virus 2 was also evaluated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective analysis involving 500 gravidas who underwent herpes virus 2 serologic testing and delivery in our hospital between January 2009 and August 2010 was performed. All patients in the study group were classified as herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) positive, and all cases were analyzed with respect to the clinical course of the pregnancy, pregnancy outcome, obstetric complications, and neonatal outcomes. SPSS software (version 14.0) was used for statistical analysis. A chi-square test and Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS
In the current study, the herpes virus 2 seroprevalence rate in gravidas was 17%. There was no significant difference in the rates of preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor, and intrauterine growth restriction between the herpes virus 2-infected gravidas and the healthy control group. The rates of spontaneous abortion and sexually transmitted disease were higher in the herpes virus 2 infection group than the healthy control group.
CONCLUSION
After educating gravidas on genital herpes and, if gravidas thereafter consent to herpes virus 2 screening, the risk of neonatal herpes virus 2 infections can be reduced. In addition, examination of gravidas for sexually transmitted diseases would increase as would appropriate treatment.

Keyword

Herpes virus 2; seroprevalence; pregnancy; sexually transmitted disease

MeSH Terms

Adult
Female
Herpes Genitalis/*diagnosis/epidemiology/virology
Herpes Simplex
Herpesvirus 2, Human/*pathogenicity
Humans
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/diagnosis/epidemiology/virology
Retrospective Studies

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