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Herpes simplex virus IgA in pregnancy
H T Meiland1, S Hebjørn, S M Andersen
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Higher herpes simplex virus (HSV) IgA in cervicovaginal secretions indicates infection risk. However, risk stratification using IgA levels and risk groups alone is insufficient for identifying women shedding HSV during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections pose risks during pregnancy, potentially leading to neonatal herpes.
- Detecting viral shedding in asymptomatic pregnant women remains a clinical challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between herpes simplex virus (HSV) IgA concentrations in cervicovaginal secretions and maternal risk factors.
- To assess the utility of HSV IgA levels and defined risk groups in predicting viral shedding during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Collection of cervicovaginal secretion, serum, and amniotic fluid from 170 pregnant women.
- Measurement of herpes simplex virus (HSV) IgA concentrations in collected samples.
- Comparison of HSV IgA levels across different maternal risk groups and culture results.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher HSV IgA concentrations were observed in cervicovaginal secretions of women with positive HSV cultures.
- Women with a history of genital HSV infections showed higher cervicovaginal HSV IgA, though not statistically significant.
- HSV IgA concentrations in secretions did not correlate with other defined risk groups.
- A case of neonatal herpes occurred in an infant born to an asymptomatic mother without prior HSV history, despite belonging to risk groups.
Conclusions:
- Cervicovaginal HSV IgA levels correlate with positive HSV cultures but are insufficient for identifying pregnant women at risk of viral shedding.
- Current risk stratification methods, including IgA measurement, do not reliably predict viral shedding during gestation or delivery.
- Further research is needed to develop accurate methods for identifying pregnant women at risk of HSV transmission.