Author:
Nasrallah Gheyath K.,Dargham Soha R.,Al-Sadeq Duaa W.,Amanullah Fathima H.,Shurrab Farah M.,Nizamuddin Parveen B.,Chemaitelly Hiam,Ayoub Houssein H.,Abdeen Sami,Abdelkarim Ashraf,Daraan Faisal,Ismail Ahmed,Mostafa Nahid,Sahl Mohamed,Suliman Jinan,Tayar Elias,Kasem Hasan Ali,Agsalog Meynard J. A.,Akkarathodiyil Bassam K.,Alkhalaf Ayat A.,Alakshar Mohamed Morhaf M. H.,Al-Qahtani Abdulsalam Ali A. H.,Al-Shedifat Monther H. A.,Ansari Anas,Ataalla Ahmad Ali,Chougule Sandeep,Gopinathan Abhilash K. K. V.,Poolakundan Feroz J.,Ranbhise Sanjay U.,Saefan Saed M. A.,Thaivalappil Mohamed M.,Thoyalil Abubacker S.,Umar Inayath M.,Al Kuwari Einas,Coyle Peter,Jeremijenko Andrew,Kaleeckal Anvar Hassan,Abdul Rahim Hanan F.,Yassine Hadi M.,Al Thani Asmaa A.,Chaghoury Odette,Al Kuwari Mohamed Ghaith,Farag Elmoubasher,Bertollini Roberto,Al Romaihi Hamad Eid,Al Khal Abdullatif,Al-Thani Mohamed H.,Abu-Raddad Laith J.
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Limited data exists on herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) infections in migrant populations. This study investigated HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalences and associations among craft and manual workers (CMWs) in Qatar who constitute 60% of Qatar’s population.
Methods
A national population-based cross-sectional seroprevalence survey was conducted on the CMW population, all men, between July 26 and September 9, 2020. 2,612 sera were tested for anti-HSV-1 IgG antibodies using HerpeSelect 1 ELISA IgG kits and for anti-HSV-2 IgG antibodies using HerpeSelect 2 ELISA IgG kits (Focus Diagnostics, USA). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify associations with HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections.
Results
Serological testing identified 2,171 sera as positive, 403 as negative, and 38 as equivocal for HSV-1 antibodies, and 300 sera as positive, 2,250 as negative, and 62 as equivocal for HSV-2 antibodies. HSV-1 and HSV-2 seroprevalences among CMWs were estimated at 84.2% (95% CI 82.8–85.6%) and 11.4% (95% CI 10.1–12.6%), respectively. HSV-1 infection was associated with nationality, educational attainment, and occupation. HSV-2 infection was associated with age, nationality, and educational attainment.
Conclusions
Over 80% of CMWs are infected with HSV-1 and over 10% are infected with HSV-2. The findings highlight the need for sexual health programs to tackle sexually transmitted infections among the CMW population.
Funder
Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar
Qatar University
Ministry of Public Health and Hamad Medical Corporation
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Infectious Diseases,Virology