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

Authors
Ahmad Taherpoor 1
Arastoo Vojdani 1
Seyed Mohamad Ali Hashemi 2
Arian Amali 3
Mohammad Reza Mardani 1
Majid Ghayour Mobarhan 4
Habibollah Esmaily 5
MohammadTaghi Shakeri 5
Mansoureh Bakhshi 6
Mojtaba Meshkat 7
Amin Hooshyar Chechaklou 6
Samaneh Abolbashari 6
Aida Gholoubi 8
Zahra Meshkat 6
1 Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3 Student Research Committee, Paramedical Department, Mashhad Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
4 International UNESCO Center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
5 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
6 Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
7 Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
8 Metabolic Syndrome Research Center and Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
10.61186/ibj.3828
Abstract
Background: 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.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: 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.

Keywords
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
Herpes simplex virus type 2
Iran
Seroepidemiology