sero-prevalance of cytomegalovirus antiboodies among sudanese fertile and infertile women

Abstract

Abstract Background : Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common microorganisms that causes opportunistic infection and complicates the clinical care and progress of immunocompromised patients. The virus can cause severe diseases with multiple complications. Objective :To study the sero-prevalence of cytomegalovirus antibodies among Sudanese fertile and infertile women attending antenatal clinics in Khartoum State. Materials and Methods : A total of two hundred and twenty five venous blood samples (n=225) were collected from pregnant women, primary infertile women, and secondary infertile women. The samples were tested for CMV IgG and IgM antibodies using the fully automated Cobas E 411-Roche immunology analyzer. A structural questionnaire was used to collect demographical and clinical data regarding patients’ age, residence, occupation, past history of still birth, past history of abortion, past history of congenital abnonnalities, past history of blood transfusion, and pregnancy trimester stage. Results : The anti CMV IgG and was detected in 71 pregnant women (94.7%), 68 primary infertile women (91.7%), and 7l secondary infertile women (94.7%). While anti CMV IgM was detected in 14 pregnant women (18.7%), 8 primary infertile women (10.7%), and 4 secondary infertile women (5.3%). Most subjects studied fall in age range 25-34 years. The study showed a significant association of anti CMV IgM with past history of abortion, and congenital abnormalities (p < 0.05). Conclusion : There was a high sero-prevalence of CMV antibodies among fertile and infertile women investigated in this study. CMV infection may predispose to abortion and congenital abnormalities among pregnant women.