Cervical Antibodies to Herpes Simplex Virus Proteins in Pregnancy and Puerperium: A Pilot Study

[摘要] Objective:This study was undertaken to evaluate the changes in total and anti-herpes simplex virus(HSV)-specific cervical IgA and IgG antibody profiles during and after pregnancy.Methods:Serum and cervical secretions were obtained from pregnant patients before 20 weeksgestation, at 34–36 weeks gestation, and at 6 weeks postpartum and tested for total IgA and IgGantibody and for IgA and IgG to HSV proteins by Western blot.Results:Seven women were HSV seronegative, 14 HSV-1 seropositive, and 14 HSV-2 ± HSV-1seropositive. Minimal changes in the serum anti-HSV profiles were seen over the 3 visits. Thetotal cervical IgA, IgG, and protein levels did not change between the 2 pregnancy visits but tendedto increase at the postpartum visit. No consistent change in cervical HSV-specific IgA and IgGwas seen during pregnancy, but the levels increased markedly at the postpartum visit.Conclusions:Lower cervical anti-HSV antibody levels may be related to the previously reportedincreased frequency of a reactivation of HSV during late pregnancy. Further evaluation is necessaryto confirm and quantify the changes in genital immunity during pregnancy and to evaluate whetherthe increased levels at the postpartum visit are sustained.

[学科分类] 妇产科学