Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus antibodies among blood donors and Multitransfused recipients – A study from north India

Abstract

Primary Cytomegalovirus infection caused by transfusion is a major problem for immunocompromised CMV seronegative patients. Documentation of the status of antibodies to cytomegalovirus in the blood donor pool population is vital to the understanding of the potential likelihood of transmission through donor blood and for determining the best transfusion practices to prevent TT-CMV infection. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of CMV infection among blood donors and Multitransfused recipients of north Indian population. A prospective study was done on 2100 donors' samples and 200 patients sample for CMV antibodies using the ELISA technique. Out of 2100 donors recruited, 93.8% males and 6.2% females. 98.6% were positive for anti CMV IgG antibodies and only one donor was positive for anti CMV IgM antibody. In Multitransfused patients, out of 200 patients, seroprevalence for anti CMV IgG antibodies was in 100% patients and only one patient was positive for anti CMV IgM antibody. The study did not demonstrate statistical significant influence of age and gender on prevalence of anti CMV IgG and IgM antibodies. Other preventive strategies such as universal leucodepletion may be implemented to prevent transmission of CMV in immunocompromised patients.