Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: With regarded to the increase in predisposing of infection with herpes simplex viruses in newborns from mothers who have primary infection in genital region, and few studies done in this object, we aimed to assess the amount of  IgM antibody against herpes simplex viruses type II in pregnant women admitted to obstetrician clinic of Rasoul Akram Hospital. Importance of this study underlies in estimation of infection in pregnant women, which is helpful in health management and selection of best delivery method.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the participants were pregnant women admitted to obstetrician clinic of Rasoul Akram Hospital from May 2014 to August 2014. Questionnaires were completed by 17 pregnant women. Serum samples were collected from these pregnant women for measurement of HSV-2 IgM antibody.

Results: In this study, of 151assessed samples, 11.3% (n=17) had IgM antibody against Herpes simplex type II, while bb.7% (n=134) had no IgM antibody. In this study IgM antibody has been more frequent in 10-20 years age group and women from poorer social and economic status and without literacy.

Conclusion: Genital herpes and increase in the number of deliveries are two important risk factors regarding the amount of IgM antibody against herpes simplex viruses type II.