Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with herpes simplex virus infection among pregnant women

Objectives: To estimate the type-specific seroprevalence and identify the risk factors associated with herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 infection in pregnant women in Bucharest, Romania. Methods: A prospective survey was conducted in 452 subjects, aged 15-39 years, at the Elias Hospital, during the years 2004-2005. We evaluated serum IgG antibodies to HSV-1 and HSV-2 using the HerpeSelect (R) ELISA test. All subjects completed an epidemiological questionnaire. Results: Seroprevalence was 87.3% and 15.1% for HSV-1 and HSV-2, respectively. The risk factors for HSV-2 infection were lower level of education and a greater number of sexual partners. Elementary school and high-school graduates were 6.28 and 2.26 times more exposed than University graduates. Having 2-3 partners and more than three partners was associated with 2.43 and 4.26 times the risk of acquiring HSV-2, compared with having one partner. Conclusions: In pregnant women, HSV-1 seroprevalence was higher than in Western Europe but similar to that in Eastern Europe. HSV-2 seroprevalence was within European ranges. Both were lower than in the USA. Risk factors for HSV-2 infection may lead to prevention programs.