The prevalence of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection among infants in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Abstract

Background: The seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in Malaysia ranges from 71.6 to 92%. The data on seroprevalence of CMV in Malaysia was scarce, particularly among infants in view of the limitation of the diagnostic methods available. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of symptomatic CMV infection and its clinical demographics among infants in Hospital USM. Methods and materials: This is a hospital-based prospective cohort study conducted from 1st January until 31st December 2018. Infants serum for CMV IgM and IgG detection and plasma for CMV PCR (viral load monitoring) were collected for detection of CMV infection Maternal serum sample was also requested for serological study. Second serum sample was later requested from the symptomatic infants in between 2 and 4 weeks’ time. Acute infection among infants was defined as evidence of seroconversion of paired sera or positive CMV DNA from blood, urine or saliva. Those infants that were not fulfilling the criteria were regarded as possible passive immunity from the mother or inconclusive if no second sample sent. Results: The prevalence of acute symptomatic CMV infection among infants in Hospital USM was 20.9% (n = 41/196). There was a significant difference in the median age (in days) (p = < 0.01) between acute and non-acute (passive immunity and inconclusive) CMV infection. There were significant association (p < 0.05) for CMV hepatitis, presumed sepsis, rash and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) between acute or non-acute CMV infection in infants. Infants with CMV hepatitis were at 8.27 higher odds of being in acute CMV group. Infants without presumed sepsis were at 0.43 higher odds of correctly classified into acute or non-acute CMV infection). Infants presented with rash were at 4.97 higher odds of getting acute CMV infection. Infants with acute CMV infection were at 0.385 higher odds of getting SNHL. Conclusion: The prevalence of CMV infection among infants in Hospital USM was moderately low. CMV hepatitis, presumed sepsis, the presence of rash and SNHL was associated with acute CMV infection in infants.