SEROLOGICAL STUDY ON CYTOMEGALOVIRUS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN ASSIUT

Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common congenital infection worldwide, with approximately I% of all newborns infected in utero. Of these infected in utero, approximately 10% will have signs and symptoms of cytomegalovirus infection at birth and develop sequelae, especially mental retardation, hearing deficit, or both.

Recent data indicate that more than 90% of symptomatic infections or infections causing sequelae occur following a primary maternal infection during pregnancy. The overall risk of delivering an infant who will develop significant handicaps following a primary maternal infection is between 10%and20%.

Although a cytomegalovirus vaccine is still many years from introduction, these observations strengthen the need and feasibility for a cytomegalovirus vaccine.

The present study was designated to investigate the seroprevalence of HCMV IgG and HCMV IgM antibodies in maternal serum, and HCMV IgM antibodies in cord blood.

HCMV specific lgG and IgM antibodies were investigated usmg

ELISA technique in 133 pregnant females, aged 17 to 40 years old.

HCMV specific lgM antibodies were investigated using ELISA

technique in their babies.