Seroprevalence of IgG Antibodies Against Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 in Children Born HIV Positive at the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital

Background: Infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is responsible for the terminal stage of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which was a latent infection until the introduction of antiretroviral treatment. The progression to chronicity of this infection leads to chronic inflammation that facilitates the occurrence of opportunistic infections such as herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) and Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2)). The lack of data on these viruses has led to the present study. Objective: aimed to determine the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 in children born HIV-positive to HIV-positive mothers with an undetectable viral load and receiving antiretroviral treatment at the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital (YUTH). Method: The study was cross-sectional conducted after 12 months of follow up. After administering a questionnaire, a blood sample was obtained from each participant in an EDTA tube and analyzed using rapid diagnostic tests for the detection of specific IgM/IgG antibodies. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2019 and SPSS version 25. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant at a 95% confidence interval. Result: Among the 74 participants, 51 were female, resulting in a sex ratio of 0.45. In the population of children born HIV-positive, the seroprevalence was 93.24% (n=69) for IgG anti-HSV-1, 93.24% (n=69) for IgG anti-HSV-2, and 93.24% (n=69) for IgG anti-HSV-1/-2. The seroprevalence of IgM anti-HSV was found to be zero; however, the prevalence of IgG anti-HSV was 93.24%. The seroprevalence of HSV-1/-2 was associated with the age of the participants. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the herpes simplex virus circulates in Cameroon, with a high presence of anti-HSV-1/-2 antibodies in the population born HIV-positive to HIV-positive mothers. It becomes important to implement systematic diagnostic measures for children born HIV-positive to HIV-positive mothers, and its transmission is associated with various risk factors.