Human herpes virus type 8 seroprevalence in pregnant women in Geneva, Switzerland

Abstract

Because of increasing migration, European countries are facing new pathogens and diseases, such as human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8). We assessed the prevalence of HHV-8 using a new ELISA test in 140 pregnant women delivering in Geneva (Switzerland). The prevalence of HHV-8 was 7.9% globally and up to 33.3% in the African subpopulation. Seropositive women were more frequently older (≥32 years old) than seronegative ones: 81.8% vs. 43%; p = 0.023, respectively. In conclusion, HHV-8 infection is present in European pregnant women. Attention should be given to the emergence of infectious diseases, such as HHV-8, and their impact on health in nonendemic countries.

Keywords:

• Human herpes virus-8
• pregnancy
• Switzerland
• Europe
• ELISA test

Acknowledgements

We thank Prof. Paul Bischof, head of the Laboratory of Hormonology of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of HUG, for allowing us to use the samples in our study. The laboratory tests were done for free by the Microbiology laboratory of the University Hospital of Basel.