Abstract
ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to determine and compare the prevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) antibodies and DNA among nurses working in different profiles of healthcare activity.Material and methodsThe study population comprised 120 women (90 exposed healthcare workers and 30 controls). Blood samples were investigated using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays (CMIA) tests to detect the presence of EBV VCA IgM, IgG, and CMV IgM, IgG. Plasma CMV and EBV DNA levels were assessed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).ResultsCMV IgG antibodies were present in 87.80% nurses (86.70% in controls), EBV IgG were present in all the nurses studied and in the control group. No statistically significant differences were noted between the subgroups of nurses and the control group as regards IgG CMV, VCA IgG EBV. CMV IgM/EBV IgM antibodies were negative in all the nurses. CMV/EBV DNA was reported only in the study group. It was not found in any of control group participants.ConclusionsThe positive PCR CMV/EBV markers only in the study group can be indicative of the exposure of nurses to these pathogens being greater than in other people not being professionally involved in patient care. In addition, it was observed that the level of CMV IgG antibodies as well as EBV VCA IgG antibodies tended to be linked to the age and the length of work of nurses working in pediatrics.
Highlights
Work in health care entails exposure to factors commonly present in health care in the process of performing therapeutic, nursing or diagnostic services.[1]
The areas of health care selected for the study covered nurses specializing in the care of patients exposed to a high risk of CMV/Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections and working in closer contact with patients than other workers those who were likely to be at a lower risk of CMV infection
The study included a total of 120 blood samples from 90 nurses and 30 women with an administrative job as a control group
Summary
Work in health care entails exposure to factors (chemical, physical, psychosocial, biological) commonly present in health care in the process of performing therapeutic, nursing or diagnostic services.[1]. | 2 of 7 and a risk of CMV as well as EBV transmission due to, first of all, direct contact with the patient, the patient's blood, body fluid, secretions, and excretions.[3] What can further significantly contribute to disturbances in the function of the immunological system[4] and to the increased susceptibility of nurses to infections is the disturbance of the circadian rhythm, exposure to permanent stress, tension, work overload. The transmission of infection with CMV/EBV in the course of performing nursing and diagnostic tasks which constitute an element inherent to the nurse's work cannot be excluded. What still remains to be answered is the question of whether in the course of performing professional duties the professional group of nurses in Poland are exposed to CMV and EBV transmission to a higher extent than the population having no professional links with health care
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