Abstract
Background: Herpesviruses are widespread pathogens worldwide, often establishing lifelong infections in humans. However, seroprevalence data remain scarce for certain populations. To address this gap, a study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of human herpesviruses, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Varicella zoster virus (VZV), and Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1&2), among different age groups in Ahvaz, Iran. Despite previous reports, detailed data on multiple herpesvirus infections are lacking in this region. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the 11-year prevalence of human herpesviruses (EBV, CMV, VZV, HSV-1&2) among various age groups. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 14,126 serum samples from individuals aged 1 to 88 years. ELISA methods were used to test for the presence of the viruses. Results: The seroprevalence varied significantly by age and gender. The highest seroprevalence was observed for CMV (IgG) at 29.2%, while the lowest was for HSV-1&2 (IgM) at 0.8%. The highest seroprevalence was recorded in the 31 - 40 age group, whereas the lowest was in the 11 - 20 age group. Gender analysis revealed that seropositivity was higher in females (56.3%) compared to males (43.7%), with CMV IgG being the most common seropositive marker in both sexes. Conclusions: These findings underscore the potential for implementing targeted screening and vaccination programs for specific high-risk age groups. The data provide valuable epidemiological insights into the transmission of herpesviruses in southwestern Iran, emphasizing the need for enhanced prevention measures and further research into herpesvirus-related diseases.
Published Version
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