PCR Detection of Herpes Simplex Virus 2 in Idiopathic Abortions

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is one of the most important human pathogenic viruses. The virus causes genital herpes and can cause miscarriage, pregnancy complications, and infertility in women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of HSV-2 in idiopathic abortion by PCR.

Fifty blood serum samples of women with idiopathic miscarriages were collected and transferred to the laboratory. The PCR test was performed using standard HSV-2 strain DNA and then the limit of detection (LOD) and specificity of the test was determined using a different strain of DNA. A standard test was performed using positive and negative controls on the samples and the results were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis.

The PCR technique est optimized and 231 bp amplicon were observed in agarose gel. In specificity test only with DNA HSV-2 achieved positive results as well as a limit of detection 10 Copy / Reaction. Of the 50 samples studied, 9 (4.5%) were positive.

Idiopathic miscarriages are miscarriages that do not seem to have a definite cause. But clearly, several factors, including infectious agents that are difficult to identify, can cause miscarriage. One of these factors could be HSV-2. The results of this study showed that HSV-2 is one of the most important factors in this type of miscarriage and that HSV-2 can be quickly identified by tests such as PCR.