Seroprevalence of Human Herpesvirus Type 2 in a Reference Center for Pregnant Women in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction : Pregnant women stand as an relevant group for research about Human Herpesvirus (HHV-2) infection owing to the risk of mother-to-child transmission. Methods : Women attending in a prenatal care center were tested for HHV-2 IgM and IgG by ELISA. Quantitative PCR test was the chosen method to ascertain viremia. Results : The seroprevalence of IgG and IgM anti-HHV-2 was 20.6% and 2.2% respectively. HHV-2 viremia was found in one pregnant  woman with HHV-2 IgM, leading to the assumption of primary infection. Conclusion : The significantly high prevalence of HHV-2 found and the ascertainment of primary infection in a pregnant woman underline the need for constant HHV-2 follow-up and diagnosis in order to avoid sexual transmission.