TITLE:
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) and HTLV-1 & 2 among Female Sex Workers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
AUTHORS:
Henri Gautier Ouédraogo, Dinanibè Kambiré, Tani Sagna, Tegwinde Rebeca Compaore, Oumarou Ouédraogo, Abdou Azaque Zouré, Serge Théophile Soubeiga, Sylvie Zida, Danielle Belemsaga/Yugbaré, Samadoulougou Benoît Cesaire, Odette Ky-Zerbo, Yves Traoré, Nicolas Barro, Seni Kouanda
KEYWORDS:
HSV-2, HTLV-1/2, Seroprevalence, Female Sex Workers, FSWs
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Medical Microbiology,
Vol.12 No.2,
June
28,
2022
ABSTRACT: Background: Herpes Simplex Virus type-2 (HSV-2) infection is one
of the most common worldwide sexually transmitted and female sex workers are
most at risk for these infections. Beside HSV-2, Human T-lymphotropic virus
(HTLV) is one of these infections with a high risk of sexual transmission. HTLV-1
causes T-cell leukaemia and myelopathy. Little is known about the HSV-2, HTLV-1
and HTLV-2 infections among female sex workers in West Africa in general, and particularly in Burkina Faso. The aim
of this study aimed to estimate HSV-2 and HTLV-1/2 seroprevalence among female
sex workers, in Ouagadougou in order to inform HIV prevention programs. Methods: Archived sera samples of a biological and behavioral cross-sectional study among female sex workers (FSWs) in
Ouagadougou were tested for HSV-2 and HTLV-1/2. Sera samples collected from
February to May 2013 were previously tested for HIV and syphilis and stored
with participants’ additional consent for further infection testing.
Antibodies against HSV-2 and HTLV-1/2 detection tests were performed using Enzyme-Linked
Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) methods. Results: HSV-2 seroprevalence was
approximately 75.7% (95% CI:
70.8-79.9) among FSWs. It ranged from 69.3% among FSWs under 24 years of age,
to 88.5% among those who were at least 30 years old. Furthermore, HSV-2
seroprevalence was high among FSW with no formal education (87.7%) and
decreased significantly among those with at least primary education (76.0%) and
others with secondary
education and above (64.9%). Regarding HTLV-1/2, 11.2% (95% CI: 8.3 - 15.1) of FSWs were positive. By age group, 11.8%
were positive among FSWs under 25 years of age; 15.2% among those 25 to 29
years of age, and 5.8% among those over 30 years of age. Conclusion: HSV-2
and HTLV-1&2 infections are common among FSWs, which confirms the need for
effective and preventive interventions such as sex education and early
screening.