Seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Viruses Types 1 and 2 in a Population, Age 15-35 Years, of Mashhad City

• Published in: Iranian biomedical journal 2023-03, Vol.27 (2 & 3), p.152-157
• Main Authors: Taherpoor, Ahmad, Vojdani, Arastoo, Hashemi, Seyed Mohamad Ali, Amali, Arian, Mardani, Mohammad Reza, Ghayour Mobarhan, Majid, Esmaily, Habibollah, Shakeri, Mohammad Taghi, Bakhshi, Mansoureh, Meshkat, Mojtaba, Hooshyar Chechaklou, Amin, Abolbashari, Samaneh, Gholoobi, Aida, Meshkat, Zahra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Antibodies; Antibodies, Viral; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Herpes Genitalis - epidemiology; Herpes simplex; Herpes Simplex - epidemiology; Herpes viruses; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Herpesvirus 2, Human; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Infections; Latent infection; Male; Population studies; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Serology; Short Communication; Viruses; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1028-852X; 2008-823X
• DOI: 10.52547/ibj.3828

Considering the high prevalence and clinical importance of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection worldwide, we aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in a population aged between 15 and 35 years in Mashhad, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 916 cases composed of 288 (31.4%) men and 628 (68.6%) women. Using ELISA method, the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies against HSV-1 and HSV-2 was assessed. Among the population studied, 681 (74.3%) cases were positive for anti-HSV antibodies, while 235 (25.7%) cases were negative. Moreover, no IgMs were found and all positive subjects had IgG antibodies. Age (p < 0.001), occupation (p < 0.001), education (p = 0.006), smoking (p = 0.029), and BMI (p = 0.004) demonstrated a significant association with HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection. Our study indicates a high seroprevalence of HSV infection; however, there was no cases positive for IgM antibodies, suggesting the high prevalence of latent infection.