Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus Infection and Estimate of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection in Isfahan State, Iran: A Population Based Study Publisher



Mostafavi SN² ; Ataei B² ; Nokhodian Z² ; Yaran M² ; Babak A² ; Salehi A¹ ; Haghighatian M² Show Affiliations
Source: Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences Published:2013

Abstract

Objective: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a well-known virus with major consequences in growing fetus, premature infants, and immune deficient individuals. There are few reports in prevalence of CMV infection in Iran, mainly in pregnant women. We conducted an epidemiological study to investigate the age-stratified seroprevalence and epidemiological characteristics of CMV infection in total inhabitants of Isfahan state, central Iran. Methodology: In a cross sectional study 595 serum samples which were collected randomly from total population of Isfahan state, Iran were used for IgG anti-CMV antibody titration by a commercial enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Data were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows version 15(SPSS). Chi-squar and Fisher exact tests were applied to determine antibody status in different age, gender, education, family member, and residency groups. Results: The overall prevalence was 98.2%(586/595). The prevalence in age groups of 6-9, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and above 49 years were 95.7, 98.6, 97.8, 100, 96.6, and 100 percent respectively. There was no statistical significant association between CMV seroprevalence with age, gender, education, family member, and residency groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study elucidates a very high prevalence of CMV infection in population which acquired it from early childhood. So it is necessary to initiate measures to reduce the burden of CMV disease in fetuses, premature infants, and immune deficient individuals. To treat hearing loss in inapparent congenitally infected infants, repeated auditory exams up to 5 years old has paramount importance.