Seroprevalence of Herpes simplex virus Type-1 IgG antibodies among pregnant women with recurrent abortions

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) is a nuclear replicating enveloped virus, usually acquired through direct contact with infected lesions or body fluids (typically saliva). The prevalence of HSV-1 infection increases progressively from childhood, and inversely related to socioeconomic background. The infections among children are either asymptomatic or following an incubation period of about 1 week gives rise to mucocutaneous vesicular eruptions. Herpetic gingivostomatitis typically affects the tongue, lips, gingival, buccal mucosa and the hard and soft palate. The main aim of this study is to study the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type-1 IgG antibodies among pregnant women with recurrent abortions. The study demonstrated a 29 (58%) were positive HSV-1-IgG and 21 (42%) were negative among cases (pregnant women) while 25 (100%) in control subject were negatives, and the possible risk factors i.e. age, Abortion, Blood transfusion, Contraceptive, Rash, have been examined in this study and showed no effect except previous history of TORCH test examination., The study concluded more than half pregnant women was found to be infected in our study, and we recommended to screen both IgM and IgG followed by viral detection and load by molecular technique in case of positive ELISA.