Background: Infection with herpes simplex virus is one of the most common sexually
transmitted infections. Because the infection is common in women of reproductive age it
can be contracted and transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy and the newborn, which
can lead to death or long-term disabilities. Objectives: The aim of our study was to
detect the seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus infection in pregnant females at
Sohag University Hospital using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as well as the fetal outcome of infected
women in comparison with healthy. Methodology: The study was carried out on 60
pregnant women attending the Obestetric and Gynacology department of Sohag
University Hospital fulfilled the inclusion criteria. They were screened for type specific
HSV antibodies (HSV-1 IgG and IgM, HSV-2 IgG and IgM) using Enzyme Linked
Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). For IgM positive cases, HSV DNA was detected by
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Blood samples were collected from all the
participants after written informed consent. Univariate and multivariate analysis were
performed to identify the risk factors associated with HSV positivity. Results: ELISA test
for HSV-1 antibodies revealed 14 (23.33%) cases positive for IgM and 44 (73.33%)
cases positive for IgG antibodies. For HSV-2 antibodies there were 4 (6.67%) cases
positive for IgM and 38 (63.33%) cases positive for IgG antibodies. By PCR HSV-DNA
was detected in 14 (77.77%) of the 18 ELISA positive cases representing (23.33%) of the
studied populations. Conclusion: According to our study overall prevalence of HSV
infection among pregnant women in Sohag University Hospital is about 23%, mostly due
to HSV-1.