Clinical reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in seropositive pregnant women with no history of genital herpes

Ann Intern Med. 1993 Mar 15;118(6):414-8. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-118-6-199303150-00003.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the risk for genital herpes and asymptomatic herpes simplex virus (HSV) shedding in late pregnancy and delivery in a population of HSV type 2 (HSV-2)-seropositive but previously asymptomatic pregnant women.

Design: A prospective inception cohort study.

Participants: A total of 1355 pregnant women with no history of genital herpes referred from three private obstetrics practices between November 1985 and June 1988.

Main outcome measures: Confidential questionnaires evaluated sexual risk factors in relation to HSV-2 serologic status as determined by Western blot analysis. Herpes simplex virus shedding was determined by viral culture of the cervix and vulva and of any suspicious lesions.

Results: Antibody to HSV-2 was detected in 439 of 1355 pregnant women (32%) with no history of genital herpes. Asymptomatic HSV shedding was detected in 5 of 1160 cultures (0.43%) obtained in late pregnancy and during delivery. A first episode of clinical genital herpes was recognized by 43 of 264 HSV-2-seropositive women (16%) during their pregnancy.

Conclusions: Serologic evidence of unknown HSV-2 infection was common in pregnant women without a history of genital herpes. Asymptomatic viral shedding in these women occurred at a rate similar to that seen in women with symptomatic genital HSV-2 infection. To improve recognition of genital herpes near term, obstetricians should counsel pregnant women about the high prevalence and mild and diverse symptoms of genital HSV-2 infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Herpes Genitalis / epidemiology
  • Herpes Simplex / epidemiology*
  • Herpes Simplex / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / microbiology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Recurrence
  • Reproduction
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexual Partners
  • Virus Shedding