Cytomegalovirus Seroprevalence and Immunity in Indian Perinatal Women: Experience of a Cord Blood Bank

Abstract

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a DNA virus and member of herpes virus family, which is known to frequently infect, a growing fetus by vertical transmission. Since the frequency of congenital infection in newborn infants tends to vary with the prevalence of infection in population, the need to determine immunity against CMV, in perinatal women cannot be over emphasised. Aim: To perform a retrospective data analysis over 8 years to find out seroprevalence of CMV in Indian women in perinatal period. Materials and Methods: Large scale retrospective data analysis was carried out over eight years and on 23,029 maternal samples tested in perinatal period with uncomplicated pregnancies, at Regrow Biosciences Private Limited, India. The humoral response to CMV infection was determined by ELISA test for CMV IgG and IgM. Results: Out of 23,029 maternal samples, 21,312 (92.5%) were IgG positive, 1,717 (7.5%) were CMV IgG negative and 23,029 (100%) were CMV IgM negative. Conclusion: CMV infection is significant factor for Bad Obstetric History (BOH) and results in poor fetal outcome. Therefore, extensive serological screening of CMV infection attains utmost importance to know the factual status of this infection amongst women of childbearing age. Overall conclusion is that in Indian women population, zero prevalence of active CMV infection with uncomplicated pregnancy has been observed. However, the prevalence of high IgG antibody titers is substantial (92.5%) which is consistent with findings in other developing countries.

Keywords

• sero-positivity
• uncomplicated pregnancy
• vertical transmission