Sero-Epidemiological Survey of Human Cytomegalo Virus Infection among Expectant Mothers in Bida, Nigeria

Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a major public health problem throughout the world. Serological surveys have shown HCMV infection in virtually every population that have been tested. HCMV is a known cause of congenital defects in babies of infected mothers. This work was aimed at determining the seroprevalence of HCMV among pregnant women. The prevalence of HCMV infections among two hundred and fifty three (253) pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic at the Federal Medical Centre, Bida between the months of November, 2004 and January, 2005 was studied. Serological screening for HCMV antibodies was done using Immunocomb® 11 IgG and ImmunoLISA TM CMV IgG. Two hundred and thirteen (213) (84.2%) were positive. Prevalence of HCMV was higher among multigravid women (86.1%) than primigravid women (77.1%). More of the pregnant women who are non-health workers (84.6%) had CMV antibodies in their sera than health workers (25.0%). There was a significant association in HCMV seroprevalence (p<.05) between health workers and non – health workers. The prevalence of HCMV was highest (87.5%) among the Teenage pregnant (TP) women. There were higher seroprevalence of HCMV in second trimester (ST) (86.2%) than the first trimester (FT) (81.4%) and third trimester (TT) (75.9%). It is concluded that there is high seroprevalence of HCMV among pregnant women investigated. It is hereby advocated that relevant vaccines should be made available to protect women of child bearing age and pregnant women.