Abstract
Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the leading infectious cause of mental retardation in children. Using seroprevalence data from two large antenatal populations (in excess of 14 000 women) coupled with a mathematical modelling approach, we have shown that CMV has a low force of infection (ca. 0.03 per seronegative per annum) and its basic reproductive number R 0 is relatively modest at 2.4. On the basis of these results, the critical vaccination proportion required for eradication of CMV is between 59–62%. In contrast to the predicted and observed effects of rubella vaccination on the incidence of congenital rubella, the increase in the average age of infection following instigation of a CMV vaccine programme will not increase the number of congenital infections. In conclusion, CMV is a prime candidate for eradication from the human population through vaccination.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
