Cellular Immune Status of Herpes simplex virus type- 2 Infected Pregnant Women in Warri, Nigeria

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type- 2 (HSV-2) is a major cause of genital ulcer disease and has been hypothesized to cause increase in inflammatory markers that contribute to atherogenic process. The aim of this study was to determine the cellular immune status and levels of systemic inflammatory markers in HSV-2 sero-positive pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Central Hospital, Warri, Nigeria. This study included three hundred and sixteen (316) pregnant women. The sero-prevalence of Herpes simplex virus type-2 was determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay while levels of cellular immune status (CD4+) and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, total leukocyte  count,  total  lymphocyte  count and  plasma  viscosity)  were  determined  using  standard procedures. The prevalence of HSV-2 was 192 (60.8%). Mean C-reactive protein and lymphocyte concentration were significantly higher  in  HSV-2  sero-positive  subjects  than  in  sero-negative  counterpart  (15.63  versus  11.02, p< 0.001) and (41.90 versus 33.71, p< 0.001) respectively, but CD4+ count did not differ in both subject group ((1114.39 versus 988.21, 95% C.I 55.493, 196.86, p=0.076). Also the levels of total white cell count and plasma viscosity were not significantly different in HSV-2 sero-positive and sero-negative subjects. Increased levels of C- reactive protein and total lymphocyte count were associated with HSV-2 infection. Increased CRP levels are known to contribute to atherogenic process; its routine quantification in patients managed for herpes infection is however advised