Asymptomatic Herpes Simplex Virus Infection in Iranian Mothers and Their Newborns

ABSTRACT

This study aims to determine the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection among pregnant women as well as congenital infection of their newborns in Tehran. One hundred samples of blood sera from pregnant women were analyzed for the presence of HSV specific antibodies. Umbilical cord blood samples from the newborns were analyzed for the presence of HSV DNA using real-time PCR. HSV IgG and IgM antibodies were found in 97% and 2% of pregnant women, respectively. Of all the 100 cord blood samples, 6 were positive for HSV DNA in which 2 cases were from mothers who had detectable IgM. It was notable that all corresponding mothers of six HSV positive infants had detectable IgG antibodies in their sera. It was demonstrated that the presence of HSV DNA in cord blood of newborns could be a risk marker for maternal-fetal transmission of the virus in asymptomatic pregnant women.

KEYWORDS:

• Herpes simplex virus
• cord blood
• congenital disease
• real-time PCR
• antibodies

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Acknowledgements

This project was financially supported by a grant from the Iran University of Medical Sciences (No. 867).