Avidity of Antibodies against HSV-2 and Risk to Neonatal Transmission among Mexican Pregnant Women

• Published in: Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology 2013, Vol.2013 (2013), p.11-16
• Main Authors: Antonia Herrera-Ortiz, Carlos Jesús Conde-Glez, Dayana Nicté Vergara-Ortega, Santa García-Cisneros, Ma. Leonidez Olamendi-Portugal, Miguel Angel Sánchez-Alemán
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Antibodies, Viral - immunology; Antibody Affinity; Behavior; Confidence intervals; Female; Health aspects; Herpes; Herpes Genitalis - immunology; Herpes Genitalis - transmission; Herpes Genitalis - virology; Herpes viruses; Herpesvirus 2, Human - immunology; Herpesvirus diseases; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infections; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Perinatal infection; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - immunology; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - virology; Pregnant women; Prenatal care; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Womens health
• ISSN: 1064-7449; 1098-0997
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/140142

Objective. To determine HSV-2 seroprevalence, risk factors, and antibody avidity among a sample of Mexican pregnant women. Material and Methods. The avidity test was standardized with different urea concentrations and incubation times; the cut-off point was calculated to determine the low avidity (early infection). IgG antibodies against HSV-2 were detected from pregnant and postpartum women from Morelos, Mexico, and the avidity test was performed to positive samples. Multivariate regression logistic analysis was employed to evaluate demographic and sexual behavior characteristics associated with HSV-2 infection. Results. HSV-2 seroprevalence among Mexican women analyzed was 14.5% (333/2300), demographic factors (location of General Hospital, age, education level, and civil status), and risky sexual behaviors (STI self-report and number of sexual partners during last year) were associated with HSV-2 infection. Seventeen women were detected with low avidity antibodies (early infection) with a cut-off point of 66.1%. Conclusions. HSV-2 infection was common among this group of women from Mexico; the avidity test detected women with recent infections, and these women were more likely to transmit HSV-2 to their neonates. Neonatal herpes has no epidemiological surveillance, the disease could be overlooked, and so more studies are needed to estimate the magnitude of neonatal infection.