Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with herpes simplex virus infection among pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the type-specific seroprevalence and identify the risk factors associated with herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 infection in pregnant women in Bucharest, Romania.


METHODS
A prospective survey was conducted in 452 subjects, aged 15-39 years, at the Elias Hospital, during the years 2004-2005. We evaluated serum IgG anti-bodies to HSV-1 and HSV-2 using the HerpeSelect ELISA test. All subjects completed an epidemiological questionnaire.


RESULTS
Seroprevalence was 87.3% and 15.1% for HSV-1 and HSV-2, respectively. The risk factors for HSV-2 infection were lower level of education and a greater number of sexual partners. Elementary school and high-school graduates were 6.28 and 2.26 times more exposed than University graduates. Having 2-3 partners and more than three partners was associated with 2.43 and 4.26 times the risk of acquiring HSV-2, compared with having one partner.


CONCLUSIONS
In pregnant women, HSV-1 seroprevalence was higher than in Western Europe but similar to that in Eastern Europe. HSV-2 seroprevalence was within European ranges. Both were lower than in the USA. Risk factors for HSV-2 infection may lead to prevention programs.
Arama
Victoria
V
Department Adults 3 of National Institute of Infectious Diseases Professor Dr. Matei Bals, Bucharest, Romania.
Vladareanu
Radu
R
Mihailescu
Raluca
R
Streinu Cercel
Adrian
A
Mihai
Carina
C
Hristea
Adriana
A
Iosipenco
Mihaela
M
Arama
Sorin Stefan
SS
Rabilloud
Muriel
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior