Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2 Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Among Pregnant Women at Etoudi Marie Reine Medical Centre, Yaoundé-Cameroon

Introduction: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a major cause of genital ulcer disease globally. In pregnancy, genital ulcers are linked to serious outcomes like spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, and neonatal herpes. However, there is limited data on HSV-2 seroprevalence in Cameroon. This study aimed to assess HSV-2 seroprevalence and its risk factors among pregnant women at Etoudi Marie Reine Medical Centre (EMRC), Yaoundé-Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 90 pregnant women attending EMRC of Yaoundé, Cameroon, from April 17 to May 24, 2024. Blood samples were collected to detect anti-HSV-2 antibodies (IgM and IgG) using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Data collected with a structured questionnaire were entered into Microsoft Excel version 2016 and analysed using Epi-info version 7.1.2.0. A p-value of <0.005 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 29 years, with a standard deviation of ±5.66, ranging from 15 to 41 years. Of the 90 pregnant women enrolled in the study, the overall carriage rate of antibodies (IgM and IgG) was 55.5%. The seropositivity rates for IgM) and IgG) were 1.1% (95% CI: 0.03%-6.04%, n = 1) and 54.4% (95% CI: 43.60%-64.98%, n = 49), respectively. The IgM seropositivity rate was only observed in the second trimester at 2.04% (1/49) and among women with no history of abortion at 1.41% (1/71). The IgG seropositivity rate was significantly associated with age group (X2 = 8.89; p = 0.01), the age group of first pregnancy (X2 = 8.15; p = 0.02), and alcohol consumption (X2 = 4.26; p = 0.03). Furthermore, the IgG seropositivity rate was highest in women during their first trimester, with 41.67% (10/24), and among women who had experienced at least one abortion with 68.48% (13/19). Conclusion: This study revealed a significant prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies among pregnant women at EMRC in Yaoundé, Cameroon, with IgG seropositivity notably higher than IgM. The findings highlight the importance of screening and monitoring HSV-2 among pregnant women, particularly those in their first trimester and those with a history of abortion.