Seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 ( HSV-2 ) in Pregnant Women and Its Relation to Some Blood Cells and IL-2 in Kirkuk , Iraq

Background: The HSV-2, is a widespread viral pathogen. It has been described as an important etiological agent in uterus and during the intrapartum period in pregnant women. Objectives: Estimate the prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies among pregnant women in Kirkuk city. Patients and Methods: A cross sectional study (M.Sc. Thesis) was conducted in Kirkuk city and included 176 pregnant women, and 134 non-pregnant married women (control group) who attended at Azadi Teaching Hospital and Al Ta’akhi Health Care Center from the 20th of November 2012 to the 23rd of April 2013. Results: The study revealed that the 62.48 % of pregnant women were infected with HSV-2. The highest rate of IgM antibodies was found in 50% of pregnant women aged 18-23; this was also true for both IgM and IgG antibodies together that were found in 41.17% of women. The relation of seropositive HSV-2 antibodies with the total white blood cells (W.B.Cs) count showed a non-significant result with the probability (P) value >0.05. This was also true for the relation with absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), while its relation with absolute eosinophil count (AEC) showed a significant result, P <0.05. In regards to the relation of HSV-2 antibodies with serum interleukin-2 (IL-2), the result was non-significant. The relation with abortion number was significant. There was significant relation of abortion with gestational time of pregnancy in seropositive pregnant women. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HSV-2 was relatively high in pregnant women in Kirkuk city. Primary and re-infection of latency occurred at the highest rate in age group 18-23 years old. Primary HSV-2 infection increases the AEC and IL-2 during pregnancy. The highest rate of abortion occurred during the first trimester of pregnancy in women with HSV-2.