title: Seropositivity and determinants of immunoglobulin-G (IgG) antibodies against Herpes simplex virus (HSV) types -1 and -2 in pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study is the first documented prevalence of IgG antibody against HSV-1&-2 in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and thus provides baseline data for future in-depth studies on HSV infection in South-South, Nigeria.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study determined the seropositivity and determinants of serum IgG antibody against HSV-1 & HIV-2 among pregnant women attending BMSH, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples from 180 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Serum samples were analysed with commercial HSV type-1&-2 specific IgG Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits. Chi-square analysis was used to determine the association of infection with socio-demographic variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 180 pregnant women, 179 (99.4%) were seropositive and 1(0.6%) was seronegative for HSV 1&2 IgG antibody. No statistical association existed between the prevalence of HSV-1&-2 IgG antibodies and the socio-demographic variables studied (p>0.05) except for marital status which was significantly associated (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data shows that HSV-1 & 2 seropositivity among pregnant women in Port Harcourt is high; thus serological screening for HSV-1&-2 might be advisable for antenatal attendees.
authors.affiliation: Medical Microbiology Unit, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Iheanyi Omezuruike
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Okonko
authors.affiliation: Medical Microbiology Unit, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Tochi Ifeoma
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Cookey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D017533:Marital Status; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: BMSH; ELISA; HSV-1; HSV-2; IgG; determinants; seropositivity