Community-Based Detection of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Herpes Simplex Viruses in Northern Thailand

Blood-borne viral infections remain important public health concerns worldwide. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are well-established transfusion-transmissible pathogens, whereas the epidemiological significance of detecting herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA in peripheral blood remains unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated HBsAg, anti-HCV antibodies, and HSV-1/HSV-2 DNA in a community-based population in northern Thailand. Serum samples from 779 participants were tested for HBsAg and anti-HCV using rapid immunochromatographic assays, while whole-blood samples from 639 participants were tested for HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA using real-time PCR. HBsAg and anti-HCV were detected in 3.0% (23/779) and 1.8% (14/779) of participants, respectively. HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA were each detected in 0.5% (3/639) of whole-blood samples. In the regression analysis, higher body weight was associated with lower odds of HBsAg detection (AOR = 0.955, 95% CI: 0.929–0.982; p = 0.001). These findings provide updated community-based epidemiological data on HBV, HCV, and HSV in northern Thailand. Because HSV DNA was detected infrequently and sequence confirmation was limited, the HSV findings should be interpreted with caution. Further studies involving larger populations, quantitative viral-load measurements, and longitudinal sampling are needed.