Sero-prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2 Among Patients Presenting with Fever at a Nigerian University Health Services
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Keywords

Sero-prevalence, HSV-2, Fever, University, Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Fever is a common clinical sign of infection with Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) that cause recurrent genital blisters in human. This study determined the seroprevalence of HSV-2 among patients presenting with fever at the University Health Services (UHS), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Main Campus, Zaria. A total of 92 blood samples collected from consenting patients were analyzed for HSV-2 antibody using ELISA. Prior to sample collection, questionnaires were used to obtain socio-demographic and clinical data from the patients. A sero-prevalence of 54.3% (50/92) was obtained among the patients. All the patients (100%:3/3) between age group 43-47 years old had antibodies to the virus while only one patient older than 53 had antibodies to the virus to (p= 0.729). Higher prevalence of HSV-2 was recorded among male (67.7%: 21/31) than in female patients (47.5%: 27/61) (p= 0.066) and among single (63.9%: 23/36) than in married patients (48.2%: 27/56) (P= 0.141). In relation to occupational status, the highest prevalence was observed among the employed (68.2%:15/22) compared to the self-employed (55.1%: 27/49). There was no significant relationship between the risk factors studied and HSV-2 infection. However, sero-prevalence of HSV-2 was higher among those who claimed not to be involved in sexual activities (58.3%: 32/62), higher among those who did not use protection (52.8%: 28/53) and highest among those who claimed to be with only one partner (51.6%: 32/62). More than half of the patients were infected with HSV-2, thus further and larger studies to determine the risk factors associated with acquiring the virus in needed. Creating awareness on the mode of transmission and consequences of infection with the virus is also important

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