Cervical
co-infection with high-risk Human Papillomavirus and Herpes simplex
Saadalnour Abusail
Mustafa1, Alfatih Mohamed Ahmed Alnajib2,
Eldaw Breima Suliman
Mohamed3,4, Ahmed Amin Mohammed5, Hussain Gadelkarim Ahmed6,7
1Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Applied
Medical Science, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia.
2College of Medicine, University of Ha’il,
Saudi Arabia.
3Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory
Science, University of Kordofan, El-Obeid, Sudan.
4Shikan College of Medicine, El-Obeid, Sudan.
5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine,
University of Kordofan, El-Obeid, Sudan.
6Prof Medical Research consultancy Center, El-Obeid, Sudan.
7Department of Histopathology and Cytology, FMLS, University of
Khartoum, Sudan.
Abstract
Background: Herpes Simplex
Virus (HSV) is a common sexually transmitted virus that infects millions of
individuals worldwide. The current study sought to determine the prevalence of
Herpes simplex and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) coinfection in Saudi women. Methodology:
From May 2020 to May 2021, 300 women's cervical smears were collected and sent
to a cytopathology laboratory. Because of gynecologic concerns, the women in
the study were referred for Pap smears. Cervical materials were then evaluated
for the presence of HSV using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) molecular
techniques. Results: HSV was detected in 2% of patients (66.7% HSV-1 and
33.3% HSV-2). HSV-1 and HPV co-infection was found in 50% of patients,
including HPV subtypes 16 and 52. HSV-2 and HPV infection, including HPV
subtype 16, was found in 50% of the cases. Conclusion: The prevalence of
HSV is minimal among Saudi women seeking gynecologic care. Coinfections of HSV
and HPV, particularly HPV subtype 16, are prevalent.
Keywords: Herpes simplex virus, Human Papillomavirus, Saudi Arabia,
cytology, cervical smear
Correspondence to: Dr. Saadelnour AM,
Email: sadosail@yahool.com
Cite this article: Ammar AB, Eltalib
KME, Agab MAAA, Ahmed HG. Medical Research
Updates 2023;1(1): 10-22.