Abstract

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Because of shared route of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-I) and type 2 (HSV-2), HIV-1-infected persons are also susceptible to infection by HSV-1 and HSV-2. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgM antibodies among HIV-infected individuals accessing healthcare at General Hospital, Awo-Omamma Imo state, Nigeria. This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study. Blood samples were collected from 182 (38 males and 144 females: age range 3-72 years; mean age 36.5 years) HIV-infected participants on ART after collecting pertinent socio-demographic data using questionnaires. Serum from each sample was tested for the presence of IgM antibodies against HSV-1 and -2 using ELISA. Data were analysed using Chi-squared test and binary logistic regression analysis with SPSS 15.0 for Windows. Of the 182 samples tested, 166 (91.2%) and 156 (85.7%) were respectively positive for HSV-1 and HSV-2 while 148 (81.3%) were positive for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgM antibodies. These respectively represented dual HIV/HSV-1, HIV/HSV-2 and triple HIV/HSV-1/HSV-2 infection rates. Variables analysed as risk factors include patients’ gender, age group, marital status, educational status and CD4+ cell count. Age was predictive of HIV/HSV-1 dual infection while gender and age were both predictive of HIV/HSV-2 dual infection rates among the participants. This study reports high seroprevalence of both HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgM antibodies among this cohort. Mass education targeted especially at the most vulnerable groups on the dangers and ways of preventing these infections is recommended.

Keywords: HIV-patients, HSV-1, HSV-2, IgM antibodies, risk factors