Background: Herpesviruses, which include cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 & HSV-2), Epstein bar virus (EBV), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) characteristically establish latent infections in their hosts. Adequate clearance of herpesvirus infections through immune responses is usually followed by the permanent presence of the viral genome in the host cells in a state of reproductive latency. So far, it’s unknown whether peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMC) and neutrophils can serve as a site for herpesvirus latency.

Objective: to detect the presence of latent herpesvirus genomes in PBMC and neutrophils.

Methods: Eight milliliters of venous blood were taken from all participants. Ethical approval from the College of Medicine was obtained. ELISA IgM & IgG antibody detection techniques detected previous infections with these viruses. The viral genomes for CMV, HSV-1&2, EBV, and VZV were investigated in the serum, neutrophils, and PBMC of 100 healthy individuals by nested polymerase chain reaction techniques (PCR).

Results: The IgM screening was negative for all subjects. The CMV IgG was detected in 79%, HSV IgG in 54%, EBV IgG in 72%, and VZV IgG in 100% of the subjects. The CMV genome was found in 2% of serum samples.  In the PBMC, the CMV genome was detected in 4% of the samples, and the HSV genome was detected in 3% of the samples. As for the neutrophils, the CMV genome was detected in 4%, the HSV genome in 2%, and the EBV genome in 1% of the samples.: The prevalence of CMV is 79%, HSV is 54%, EBV is 72%, and VZV is 100% in the Kuwait population.

Conclusion: Our result shows that PBMC is a latency site for CMV and HSV. On the other hand, the neutrophils serve as a site of latency for CMV, HSV, and EBV.