SEROPREVALENCE OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS INFECTION TYPE 1 AND 2 IN A POPULATION OF HIV-POSITIVE AND HIV-NEGATIVE INDIVIDUALS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in a population of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive and non-HIV patients and its association with CD-4 count. Methods: 200 HIV-positive individuals attending antiretroviral treatment clinic and 100 HIV-negative individuals from the clinical departments of Government Medical College, Amritsar, were enrolled in the study. The sera were tested in parallel using anti-HSV-1 immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (calbiotech), anti-HSV-2-IgG (calbiotech), and HSV-1/2 pool IgM ELISA (calbiotech) assays as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Sysmex partec CyFlow counter IVD flow cytometer. CD4+ reagents are used for measuring absolute counts of CD4+ T lymphocytes. Results: For anti-HSV-2 IgG, seroprevalence was positively associated with HIV-positive status. The mean CD4+ T lymphocyte counts for anti- HSV-2 IgG patients were 400.45±122.92 cells/μL in the HIV-positive group (n=163). Mean CD4+ counts in HSV-2 IgG-negative cases were 350.05±160.46 cells/μL. This association was statistically significant. Conclusion: HSV-1 and 2 are common lifelong infections that often are asymptomatic. African studies have highlighted HSV synergism with HIV infection. Seroprevalence of this common infection and the studies covering the Northern India region are scarce. Our study has confirmed this coinfection synergism. Increasing awareness of HSV-HIV synergy can contribute to better informed decisions regarding safe sex practices.