Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus-1 and 2 antibodies in STD clinic patients

The present study was conducted on 250 serum samples of STD clinic patients and 50 serum samples of asymptomatic women to determine seroprevalence of herpes simplex-1 and 2 (HSV-1 and 2) IgM antibodies and HIV-1 and 2 antibodies. The samples were also screened for syphilis by VDRL test and confirmed by TPHA test. Seropositivity of HSV in STD clinic patients was 44/250 (17.6%) and 12/50 (24%) in asymptomatic women. In 11/44 (25%) seropositive persons for HSV, HIV 1 and 2 antibodies were present. In 10/44 (22.7%) HSV seropositive persons, coinfection with syphilis was also present, whereas in 7/44 (15.9%) HSV seropositive persons, both HIV and syphilis were present. In the control group, coinfection with other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was not observed.