Prevalence of cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus-2, human papillomavirus 16-18 in the cervical smear of pregnant women in turkey- preliminary study

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading cause of prenatal viral infection. Affected infants may suffer intrauterine growth retardation and serious neurological impairment. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is frequently shed after infection of the genital or perianal area. HSV often produces asimilar clinical picture. Uterine cervix carcinoma is the second most common female type of cancer and also the second highest mortality cause for women. The aim of this study is to detect the CMV DNA, HSV-2 DNA and HPV DNA 16-18 from the cervical smear of the pregnant women by PCR. Cervical swab samples in PBS were used for the DNA extraction by phenol chloroform isoamyl alcohol. CMV, HSV-2 and HPV 16-18 detection were carried out by PCR using specific primers. The PCR products were run on agarose gel and the bands corresponding to expected length were accepted as positive. Three (3/71; 4%) and 2 (2/71; 4%) of the samples of the pregnant women were found to be positive for HPV and HSV-2, respectively. Dual infection with HPV and HSV positivity was found in one patient. HPV18 were detected in all positive samples. CMV was found to be negative in all samples. in conclusion, HPV and HSV should be screened due to high prevalence of these viruses in pregnant by using sensitive molecular methods. Medical treatment and labor should be planned with care.