Serological survey of immunoglobulin g antibody among different populations with assymtomatic shedding of genital herpes in Katsina State

Abstract

Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a significant public health problem being one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections worldwide and the leading cause of genital ulcerative disease that is common both in industrialized and developing countries. Therefore, a study on the serological survey of Immunoglobulins G antibody among different populations with asymptomatic shedding of genital herpes in Katsina State, north-western Nigeria was carried out. A total of 460 (86 HIV, 136 feverish patients, 125 pregnant women and 113 normal Individuals) blood samples were collected from six hospitals located across the three senatorial zones of the State. The serum was separated from the blood and used for the analysis. The participant’s socio-demographic information and clinical presentations were also noted with the aid of a questionnaire. Viral antibodies were detected by HSV-2 IgG ELISA Kits. The HSV-2 IgG was detected in 72.8% of the serum tested. The prevalence among patients presenting with fever was 70.6%, and it was 74.4% in the pregnant women. The prevalence in HIV positive patients was 75.6% while it was 73.5% in the apparently healthy individuals. There was a significant association between HIV positivity, feverish condition and HSV-2 prevalence. Higher prevalence was recorded at General Hospital Dutsinma 89.6% and there was a statistically significant association between prevalence and hospital studied. Generally, older participants were more vulnerable to HSV-2 infection than younger ones. There was no statistical significant association between sex of the participants and HSV-2 infection. None of the sociodemographic factors was significantly associated with HSV-2 infection except marital status. There was no significant association between socio-economic status, sexual activity, use of protection, number of sexual partners, clinical manifestation, level of education, and occupation of the participants with HSV-2 infection. The present study indicates that prevalence of HSV-2 appears to be relatively high and older participants were more vulnerable to HSV-2 infection in Katsina State. There is need for educating populace on HSV-2 infection and its mode of transmission to reduce the level of its spread between individuals in the population.

Keywords: HSV-2; IgG; Genital; Serum; Antibody