Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence and associated factors in fertility-treatment-seeking population: A cross-sectional survey in the United Arab Emirates
BackgroundHerpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a common genitally-transmitted viral infection affecting more than 400 million individuals globally. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in specific at-risk population groups, the burden of HSV-2 has not been reported. This study investigated the preva...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.991040/full |
| _version_ | 1797985653806333952 |
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| author | Noor Motea Abdo Irfan Aslam Shazia Irfan Junu A. George Ahmed R. Alsuwaidi Luai A. Ahmed Luai A. Ahmed Rami H. Al-Rifai Rami H. Al-Rifai |
| author_facet | Noor Motea Abdo Irfan Aslam Shazia Irfan Junu A. George Ahmed R. Alsuwaidi Luai A. Ahmed Luai A. Ahmed Rami H. Al-Rifai Rami H. Al-Rifai |
| author_sort | Noor Motea Abdo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundHerpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a common genitally-transmitted viral infection affecting more than 400 million individuals globally. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in specific at-risk population groups, the burden of HSV-2 has not been reported. This study investigated the prevalence of HSV-2 IgG antibodies in patients seeking fertility treatment and characterized patients with seropositivity to HSV-2 IgG antibodies.MethodologyA cross-sectional sample of patients seeking fertility treatment in a major fertility clinic in Abu Dhabi, UAE was surveyed from April to May 2021. Patients were consecutively invited to complete self-administered questionnaires and provide blood for HSV-2 testing. Information on sociodemographics, medical history, and infertility was collected. Serum specimens were screened using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for HSV-2 IgG antibodies detection.ResultsTwo hundred and ninety-nine patients were surveyed and provided blood samples. The mean age of the patients was 35.9 ± 6.8 [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] years with 89.3% being women. Sixty-six percent were overweight or obese, 25.0% had at least one chronic comorbidity, and 19.6% reported ever-had genital infection. More than two-thirds (68.3%) of the patients were infertile for ≥ 6 months. Of the 42 infertile males, 69.0% had an abnormal semen analysis. HSV-2 IgG antibodies was detected in 12.4% of patients. The HSV-2 IgG seropositive patients had a higher mean age (39.5 vs. 35.4 years; p < 0.001) compared to seronegative patients. HSV-2 IgG antibodies seropositivity was more common in males (15.6%) than females (12.0%), in patients with secondary (14.1%) vs. primary (9.2%) infertility, or in males with abnormal (10.3%) vs. normal (7.7%) semen.ConclusionExposure to HSV-2 at any time in patients seeking fertility treatment in the UAE was found to be slightly common in more than one out of 10 patients. Tailored health campaigns on HSV-2 prevention are warranted. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:20:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dbbf6efb12384003988b8a6a6077ad59 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:20:22Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-dbbf6efb12384003988b8a6a6077ad592022-12-22T04:37:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652022-11-011010.3389/fpubh.2022.991040991040Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence and associated factors in fertility-treatment-seeking population: A cross-sectional survey in the United Arab EmiratesNoor Motea Abdo0Irfan Aslam1Shazia Irfan2Junu A. George3Ahmed R. Alsuwaidi4Luai A. Ahmed5Luai A. Ahmed6Rami H. Al-Rifai7Rami H. Al-Rifai8Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesHealthPlus Fertility and Genetics Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesHealthPlus Fertility and Genetics Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesInstitute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesZayed Center for Health Sciences, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesInstitute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesZayed Center for Health Sciences, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesBackgroundHerpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a common genitally-transmitted viral infection affecting more than 400 million individuals globally. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in specific at-risk population groups, the burden of HSV-2 has not been reported. This study investigated the prevalence of HSV-2 IgG antibodies in patients seeking fertility treatment and characterized patients with seropositivity to HSV-2 IgG antibodies.MethodologyA cross-sectional sample of patients seeking fertility treatment in a major fertility clinic in Abu Dhabi, UAE was surveyed from April to May 2021. Patients were consecutively invited to complete self-administered questionnaires and provide blood for HSV-2 testing. Information on sociodemographics, medical history, and infertility was collected. Serum specimens were screened using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for HSV-2 IgG antibodies detection.ResultsTwo hundred and ninety-nine patients were surveyed and provided blood samples. The mean age of the patients was 35.9 ± 6.8 [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] years with 89.3% being women. Sixty-six percent were overweight or obese, 25.0% had at least one chronic comorbidity, and 19.6% reported ever-had genital infection. More than two-thirds (68.3%) of the patients were infertile for ≥ 6 months. Of the 42 infertile males, 69.0% had an abnormal semen analysis. HSV-2 IgG antibodies was detected in 12.4% of patients. The HSV-2 IgG seropositive patients had a higher mean age (39.5 vs. 35.4 years; p < 0.001) compared to seronegative patients. HSV-2 IgG antibodies seropositivity was more common in males (15.6%) than females (12.0%), in patients with secondary (14.1%) vs. primary (9.2%) infertility, or in males with abnormal (10.3%) vs. normal (7.7%) semen.ConclusionExposure to HSV-2 at any time in patients seeking fertility treatment in the UAE was found to be slightly common in more than one out of 10 patients. Tailored health campaigns on HSV-2 prevention are warranted.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.991040/fullherpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)reproductive healthinfertilityfertilitypregnancygenital infections |
| spellingShingle | Noor Motea Abdo Irfan Aslam Shazia Irfan Junu A. George Ahmed R. Alsuwaidi Luai A. Ahmed Luai A. Ahmed Rami H. Al-Rifai Rami H. Al-Rifai Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence and associated factors in fertility-treatment-seeking population: A cross-sectional survey in the United Arab Emirates Frontiers in Public Health herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) reproductive health infertility fertility pregnancy genital infections |
| title | Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence and associated factors in fertility-treatment-seeking population: A cross-sectional survey in the United Arab Emirates |
| title_full | Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence and associated factors in fertility-treatment-seeking population: A cross-sectional survey in the United Arab Emirates |
| title_fullStr | Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence and associated factors in fertility-treatment-seeking population: A cross-sectional survey in the United Arab Emirates |
| title_full_unstemmed | Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence and associated factors in fertility-treatment-seeking population: A cross-sectional survey in the United Arab Emirates |
| title_short | Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence and associated factors in fertility-treatment-seeking population: A cross-sectional survey in the United Arab Emirates |
| title_sort | herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence and associated factors in fertility treatment seeking population a cross sectional survey in the united arab emirates |
| topic | herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) reproductive health infertility fertility pregnancy genital infections |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.991040/full |
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