Abstract:
Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Most cases of genital herpes are diagnosed in persons from 16 to 40 years old, which correlates with more sexual contacts. Herpes simplex virus, type 2 (HSV-2), is the main virus that causes genital herpes, although the number of cases caused by HSV type 1 (HSV-1) has increased in the recent decades. The prevalence of HSV-2 exceeds 50%, and this number rises to almost 100% in risk groups. Taking into account the insufficient, and sometimes controversial, information about the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of genital herpes at the preconception stage and during pregnancy, the purpose of this review was to analyze the sources of evidence-based medicine in accordance with the understanding and solution of the problems of clinical management of genital HSV during pre-gravid preparation and during pregnancy.
This review analyzes the results of preclinical and clinical research on optimal diagnosis and rational therapy of herpes virus infection in the pre-gravid period and during pregnancy with the involvement of the most effective drugs. A systematic data search was performed using MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Proquest databases for 2010–2023. To confirm the diagnosis, it is advisable to verify HSV DNA, if possible, to determine its type by molecular biological methods (PCR) in the contents of vesicles, from the bottom of ulcers and in the biological fluids, organism secretions, taking into account the localization of the process; however, routine HSV screening is not recommended for all pregnant women. For the treatment of the primary clinical episode of anogenital herpes as an episodic therapy at the stage of pregnancy planning,
oral acyclovir, or valacyclovir, or famciclovir is recommended. During pregnancy, the drugs of choice for the treatment of herpesvirus infection are acyclovir or valacyclovir. Local treatment is not recommended due to low efficiency. Genital HSV infection during pregnancy can lead to infection of the fetus or newborn. The risk of transmission to the newborn
is higher if the infection of the seronegative mother occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy. Daily use of acyclovir should be considered from 36 weeks of pregnancy, in the absence of other obstetric indications for cesarean section, vaginal delivery should be planned. The women with primary genital herpes in the third trimester of pregnancy are at high risk of transmitting HSV to their newborns, so they should be counseled and offered caesarean section to reduce this risk. Famciclovir is included in the world protocols (USA, Canada, Europe, Australia) for the effective treatment of herpes infection due to its high bioavailability (77.0%) and the longest period of stay in the virus-infected cell (up to 20 hours) than other drugs for the treatment of HSV-2.
