Prevalence Of Cytomegalovirus Antibodies Research Articles

Ryzyko zawodowe zakażenia wirusem CMV u pielęgniarek – czy warto wykonywać badania przesiewowe dotyczące określenia częstości występowania przeciwciał przeciw wirusowi cytomegalii wśród pielęgniarek w Polsce?

Ryzyko zawodowe zakażenia wirusem CMV u pielęgniarek – czy warto wykonywać badania przesiewowe dotyczące określenia częstości występowania przeciwciał przeciw wirusowi cytomegalii wśród pielęgniarek w Polsce?

Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus Antibodies in Pregnant Women, Benue State, Nigeria

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a member of the herpes family, belongs to a group of vertically transmitted infections referred to as the TORCH complex including: Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Simplex. Known to be frequently transmitted to developing foetus, it remains one of the leading causes of congenital viral infections. Although the infection has been detected in Nigerian neonates, its awareness is limited particularly in a growing metropolitan city like Makurdi, Nigeria. In this study, the prevalence of CMV antibodies and their association with some socio-demographic factors in pregnant women was evaluated. Pregnant women (N=375; age range=15 to 50 years) attending ante-natal clinic in different hospitals in Makurdi were screened for the infection. Five-ml venous blood was collected from each participant for serological studies, and structured questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic data. Serum samples were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The overall prevalence of anti-CMV IgG-antibodies was 93.3% (n=350) and was 3.5% (n=13) for anti- CMV IgM-antibodies. Prevalence of anti-CMV IgG and IgM antibodies was significantly associated with gravidity (PIgG=0.012; PIgM=0.001), while prevalence of anti-CMV IgM only was associated with marital status (P=0.035). The prevalence of anti-CMV IgG antibodies was highest (100%) in older pregnant women aged 41-50 years, but was lowest (85.0%) in younger ones aged 15-20 years. Risk factors for the disease such as history of blood transfusion, scarification, and multiple sexual partners were important, even though not statistically significant (P>0.05). Women of child-bearing age in the growing metropolitan city of Makurdi, Nigeria need to be educated on precautionary measures that will prevent cytomegalovirus infection.

Human herpesvirus 6 and cytomegalovirus infections in children with human immunodeficiency virus infection and cancer

Measure the prevalence of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in children and adolescents with HIV infection and malignancy. Semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction and serology were used to test for HHV-6 and CMV infections in 31 cases (HIV-infected children with cancer), 56 HIV controls (HIV-infected children without cancer) and 30 cancer controls (HIV-uninfected children with cancer). In cases, HIV controls and cancer controls, HHV-6 DNA was detected in 29, 39 and 34%, respectively, and CMV DNA was detected in 13, 4 and 7%, respectively. Four cases (13%) and no HIV controls or cancer controls harbored HHV-6 subtype A (P = 0.014). In cases, HIV controls and cancer controls, the prevalence of HHV-6 antibodies was 58, 68 and 93%, respectively, and the prevalence of CMV antibodies was 71, 48 and 70%, respectively. HHV-6 seroprevalence was lower in cases than in cancer controls (P = 0.002), even with adjustments for age and CD4 concentrations; however, HHV-6 infection rates (presence of HHV-6 DNA and/or HHV-6 antibodies) were similar in all groups. Stratification showed that CMV infection was more common in younger patients (ages < 8 years) without severe immune suppression (CD4 concentration >200 cells/microl) than in HIV controls (odds ration, 10.343; 95% confidence interval, 1.65, 121.57). Geometric mean titers of serum anti-CMV antibodies, but not anti-HHV-6 antibodies, were higher in cases (1:71) than in HIV controls (1:33) (P = 0.005). HHV-6 and CMV infections were common among children with HIV infection and cancer. CMV seropositivity also was associated with cancer in younger HIV-infected patients who did not have severe immune suppression. HHV-6A was detected only in HIV-infected children with cancer.

Prevalence of cytomegalovirus infection among health care workers in pediatric and immunosuppressed adult units.

The prevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection varies not only from one country to another, but also with social, economic, and environmental conditions and with professional activity. Health care workers in contact with the main vectors of the CMV (i.e., children and immunosuppressed patients) are particularly exposed to the infection. We assessed the prevalence of the virus among health care personnel in light of CMV epidemiology and the recent shift in living conditions and family size. Our study was included in a broader program evaluating the risk of infection among female hospital workers of childbearing age. The goal of the program was to implement appropriate preventive measures for personnel who were not immune to the infection. Consequently, we included only female caregivers who worked with children or immunosuppressed patients. The study was based on a clinical examination, a medical and occupational questionnaire, the assessment of tasks performed; and CMV serologic testing. The overall seroprevalence was 44.25% in our population (n = 400) and was comparable regardless of the place of work. Prevalence differed significantly with age and parity, and we also found that it was higher among personnel who worked in closer contact with the patients (nurse's aides, pediatric nurse's aides) than among those whose tasks required more technical skills (nurses, pediatric nurses) (57.3% vs 34.5%, P < 0.01). The logistic regression analysis between prevalence of CMV antibodies, age, parity, and type of job showed that "contact job" was as significant a factor as parity to explain immunization in our population (odds ratio, 2.2). We also determined a correlation between the prevalence of CMV antibodies and tasks performed. In addition, we found a non-negligible group of non-immune personnel (55.75%) and young workers (mean age: 33.4) who were potentially exposed to infection. This points to the need to establish a prevention program.

Seroprevalence of CMV antibodies in a blood donor population and premature neonates in the south-central Taiwan.

Infection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) via contaminated blood may endanger immunocompromised patients that require transfusion therapy. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of CMV antibodies in the blood donor population in Southern-central Taiwan. A total of 1800 consecutive sera, obtained from Tainan Blood Center of Chinese Blood Services Foundation (CBSF), were tested for CMV antibodies by two commercial enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). Of the sera tested, 150 (8.3%) were found to be CMV seronegative. The frequency of CMV seropositivity revealed no significant difference between male and female donors. The frequency of CMV seronegativity showed a stepwise decrease with the increase of donor age. In addition, the prevalence of HBsAg, antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), antibodies to human immunodeficiency viruses type 1 and 2 (anti-HIV 1 + 2) and antibodies to human T-cell lymphotropic viruses type I and II (anti-HTLV I/II) were compared between CMV seropositive and seronegative groups. Our results showed that there was no significant difference in seroprevalence of these markers between CMV seropositive and seronegative groups. Our findings also showed that six out of twenty (30.0%) premature neonates were CMV-seropositive. These premature specimens and those EIA discrepancy samples were confirmed by specific nucleic acid amplification using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Our results suggest that a program which aims to supply CMV seronegative blood or blood components to the patients, should not solely depend on current antibody screening methods in an area where CMV infection is highly endemic. Amendments such as PCR testing, leukocyte reduction by filtration before transfusion may be more practical.

Patients with diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis; a role for cytomegalovirus?

Diabetic patients are known to have an impaired immune response to viral antigens and a high incidence of atherosclerosis. This study was initiated to evaluate the association between cytomegalovirus infection and atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes mellitus. Patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2 (> 5 years) with (group A) and without (group B) clinical signs of atherosclerosis were included. Cytomegalovirus cultures were obtained, serum was screened for CMV-antibodies and CMV-IgG and CMV-IgM titers were determined. Cytomegalovirus antibodies were detected more often in diabetic patients with atherosclerosis compared to patients without atherosclerosis (70.7 vs. 45.2%, P = 0.018). In female patients the prevalence of CMV-antibodies was 89.5 vs. 40.0% ( P = 0.0037). CMV IgG titers were twice as high in group A compared to group B. Cytomegalovirus was cultured from four urine samples and two throat swabs in group B and in one urine and one throat swab in group A. The prevalence of cytomegalovirus antibodies was higher in diabetic patients with atherosclerosis compared to diabetic patients without atherosclerosis. This difference was most striking in the female population. CMV-IgG titers were twice as high in the atherosclerosis group. These data suggest that cytomegalovirus may play a role in the development of clinical atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Cytomegalovirus IgG and IgA serum antibodies in a study of HIV infection and HIV related diseases in homosexual men.

The significance of serum IgG and IgA antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) at various stages of human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection was studied in 175 homosexual men. Sera were obtained from 123 HIV seropositives [41 asymptomatic, 29 with lymphadenopathy associated syndrome (LAS), 22 with AIDS related complex (ARC), and 31 AIDS patients], 17 HIV seroconverters, and 35 HIV asymptomatic seronegatives. The sera were tested blindly for CMV IgA and IgG antibodies using the immunoperoxidase assay (IPA) and CMV infected human embryo cells. Cross-sectional analysis of CMV IgG antibodies at a titer of greater than or equal to 20 showed 87% and 100% prevalence in the HIV seronegative groups and in the HIV seropositive groups, respectively (P less than 0.05). CMV IgG antibodies at a titer of greater than or equal to 80 were present in significantly higher proportions among the HIV seropositive subjects of the various groups as compared with the HIV seronegative homosexual men. However, in the HIV seronegatives who later seroconverted to HIV, a significantly higher prevalence of CMV antibodies (35%) was detected before HIV seroconversion, as compared with the persistently HIV seronegative subjects (14.3%) (P less than 0.05). The HIV seronegatives pre-HIV seroconversion also exhibited a significantly higher geometric mean titer (GMT) of CMV IgG antibodies (62.17 +/- 0.64) as compared with the persistently HIV seronegatives (34.0 +/- 0.6) (P = 0.03). Significantly higher GMTs of CMV IgG antibodies were detected in all the HIV seropositive groups as compared with the persistently HIV seronegative group. CMV IgG antibodies were not detected in the HIV seronegative subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prevalence of cytomegalovirus antibody in pregnant women, AIDS patients and STD patients in Dar es Salaam

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Muhimbili Medical Centre, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Gade Institute, University of Bergen, Norway.

A Seroepidemiologic Study of Cytomegalovirus Infection in a Canadian Recruit Population

The prevalence of antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) was investigated in a population of Canadian male and female military recruits entering a basic-training session in Nova Scotia. Of 660 incoming recruits, 119 (18.0%) had IgG and/or IgM antibodies to CMV detectable by a latex agglutination procedure. There was no statistically significant difference between the prevalence of CMV antibodies among male recruits (16.2%) and that among female recruits (21.8%) (p = .085). The prevalence of antibodies to CMV in this recruit population is similar to that in the general Canadian population. During the 8- to 10-week training session, 1.7% of the recruits (.8% of the males and 3.6% of the females) seroconverted to become seropositive for antibodies to CMV. There was some equivocal evidence that the females had a higher CMV seroconversion rate than did the males (p = .030). There was no significant difference between the geometric mean titers of the male and female recruits who seroconverted. This seroconversion rate suggests that CMV transmission was low during the training session even though physical crowding was present.

Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus Antibodies in Brazilian and Japanese Populations in the North‐East of Brazil

The serological status to cytomegalovirus (CMV) was examined for 616 Brazilians and 399 Japanese immigrants living in the North-East of Brazil. The sera were screened for IgG antibodies to CMV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall prevalence of CMV antibodies was higher in the Japanese population (83.7%) than in the Brazilian population (69.8%). The seropositivity was analyzed by factors of age, sex, ethnic background, and socioeconomic status. Mother-baby contact seems to be a factor of significance in the seroepidemiology of CMV infection.

Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus Antibodies in Brazilian Women of Childbearing Age and Newborns

Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus Antibodies in Brazilian Women of Childbearing Age and Newborns

Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus Antibody in Subjects Between the Ages of 6 and 22 Years

We determined the prevalence of antibody to cytomegalovirus (CMV) in three groups between 1985 and 1987. Group I consisted of 511 subjects 6-22 y old, group II consisted of 920 subjects 18-21 y old, and group III of 113 subjects 18-22 y old. The overall prevalence of antibody in these three groups was 34%, 24%, and 28%, respectively. Prevalence of antibody in white subjects (24%, 21%, and 24%, respectively) was significantly lower than that in nonwhite subjects. In group I, there was no increase in prevalence with age in white subjects, but the percentage of individuals with antibody increased with age among nonwhite subjects. It is of obvious concern that a large proportion of white women entering childbearing years lack CMV antibody.

Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus Antibodies in Blood Donors

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) obtained through blood products has proven to be a significant pathogen in newborn infants and immunocompromised hosts. Serum samples from 250 blood donors were evaluated by five commercial tests for the presence of CMV antibodies. Fifty percent of the 250 donors were positive by three or more of the tests and therefore were considered to be true positives. Solid-phase fluorescence immunoassay (SFI), indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA), immunofluorescent antibody (IFA), passive latex agglutination (LA), and enzyme immunoassay (ElA) were evaluated for sensitivity, specificity, and ease of use. SFI, ELISA, and LA tests had high sensitivity and specificity ratings. IHA and IF A had high sensitivity ratings but poor specificity rates. IHA and LA had the best functional ratings, followed in order by SFI, ELISA, and I FA. Our findings suggest that LA is the best choice among these tests for an accurate, reliable, and simple screening test for CMV antibodies.

Thalassemic Patients Are at High Risk for Transfusion-Transmitted Cytomegalovirus Infections

The prevalence of total as well as IgM antibodies against cytomegalovirus (CMV) was determined by enzyme immunoassay in a group of 287 multitransfused thalassemia major patients aged 5-39 years and in another group of 1,220 healthy controls. A significantly higher prevalence of CMV antibodies was observed in thalassemic patients of all age-groups compared with controls. The prevalence among splenectomized thalassemia patients was higher than among nonsplenectomized thalassemics. It is concluded concluded that patients with thalassemia, especially if splenectomized, are at high risk for transfusion-transmitted CMV infections. The high prevalence of CMV infections might be responsible, at least in part, for the immunological disturbances and the susceptibility to other infections observed in thalassemic patients. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that safe blood should be provided for anti-CMV-negative thalassemics, with priority to anti-HIV-positives and those who are to receive bone marrow transplantation.

Transfusion-acquired cytomegalovirus infection in neonates. A prospective study.

The incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was determined in 114 transfused neonates of any birthweight born to CMV antibody-negative mothers. In a second phase of this study, an additional 28 transfused infants weighing less than 1250 g, born to both CMV antibody-negative and antibody-positive mothers, were followed. All infants underwent weekly virus culture and monthly serology during hospitalization and at 6 to 12 weeks after their last transfusion. Only one of 126 (0.8%) seronegative infants and one of 16 (6.3%) seropositive infants developed CMV infection. If the assumption is made that the CMV-infected infant received only 1 unit of infectious blood, the risk of transfusion-acquired CMV infection to seronegative infants is 0.16 percent per cellular unit transfused or 0.37 percent per seropositive cellular unit transfused. Despite similarities in the prevalence of CMV antibody in the donor population, the age of blood products used, and the mean number of donor exposures, a significantly lower incidence of CMV infection was found in the seronegative transfused infants than that in two previously published studies (p less than 0.01, p less than 0.001). Because no mortality and very little morbidity could be attributed to transfusion-acquired CMV infection in the nurseries, the authors can see no justification for the provision of specialized blood components for the prevention of CMV infection in this patient population.

Prevalence of cytomegalovirus antibody in hemophiliacs and homosexuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

We determined the prevalence of antibody to cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the sera of non-homosexual hemophilia patients and homosexual men infected with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). CMV antibody testing by latex agglutination revealed 33 of 58 HIV-1 infected hemophiliacs (57%) were antibody-positive compared with 54 of 54 HIV-1 infected asymptomatic non-hemophiliac homosexuals (100%) (p less than .001). Nine of 15 hemophiliacs (60%) with symptomatic HIV-1 infection were CMV antibody-positive. We also tested 22 HIV-1 antibody-negative hemophiliacs who had received non-heat treated factor concentrates. 14 of these 22 (64%) were CMV antibody-positive compared with 57% of HIV-1 antibody-positive hemophiliacs. We conclude 1) there is little correlation between transmission of HIV-1 and CMV by factor concentrates, 2) the presence of CMV antibody does not appear to be associated with clinical stage of HIV-1 infection in hemophiliacs, and 3) there may be a significant number of CMV antibody-negative hemophiliacs with HIV-1 infection at risk for primary infection and subsequent disease if CMV seronegative blood products are not provided for future transfusions.

HIGH LEVELS OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS ANTIBODY IN PATIENTS REQUIRING VASCULAR SURGERY FOR ATHEROSCLEROSIS

157 caucasian male patients undergoing vascular surgery for atherosclerosis and a matched control group of patients with high cholesterol levels were screened for antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) and type 2 (HSV2), indicative of persistent infection. The prevalence of CMV antibodies was higher in the surgical group than in the control group (90% and 74%, respectively), and a significantly greater percentage (p<0.001) of surgical cases than controls had high titres of CMV antibodies (57% and 26%, respectively). Small but not significant differences in antibodies to HSV1 were observed, and there were no differences in HSV2 antibody titres. For each virus there was no correlation between antibody titre and blood levels of total cholesterol or triglycerides. It is suggested that periodically activated virus may have a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Cytomegalovirus Is Not an Occupational Risk for Nurses in Renal Transplant and Neonatal Units

The risk of inpatient-to-nurse transmission of cytomegalovirus (CMV) was assessed in a five-year prospective seroepidemiologic study. We enrolled 263 renal transplant/hemodialysis nurses, 204 neonatal intensive care nurses, 225 student nurses, and 251 blood donor controls. Prevalence of CMV antibody in these 943 subjects was 33.7% and did not differ significantly among the four study groups. Sixteen subjects experienced primary CMV infections. The yearly seroconversion rate, calculated from age-related seroprevalence data, was 1.9%. The rate of seroconversion during the study, established by observing 519 seronegative subjects for 10 420 person-months, was 1.84% per year and did not differ significantly among the study groups. The proportions of patients with CMV infection (1.1% to 11.9%) and disease (0.5% to 3.4%) on study wards were not related to seroconversion in the nurses. The slow rate of acquisition of CMV in susceptible adults suggests that transmission requires prolonged, intimate contact. Nurses and nursing students who practice good personal hygiene are no more likely to acquire CMV than their peers in the community.

Prevalence of cytomegalovirus antibodies in obstetric nurses

The prevalence of antibodies to cytomegaloviruses (CMV) in applicants for nursing staff appointments was shown to be significantly lower than that reported earlier in obstetric patients of the same metropolitan area. Age and previous nursing experience with midwifery patients or neonates were found to be significant factors associated with the prevalence of antibodies to CMV in staff applicants. Student midwives younger than 25 years were the group most susceptible to primary CMV infection. The duties that seronegative pregnant staff members or those planning pregnancy at an early date should be allowed to carry out are discussed. The importance of hygiene in the prevention of nosocomial infections, and of the skin care of hands subjected to frequent washing, is stressed.

Increased Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus Antibodies in Homosexual Men with Syphilis: Relation to Sexual Behaviour

Increased Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus Antibodies in Homosexual Men with Syphilis: Relation to Sexual Behaviour