Serological epidemiology analysis of Cytomegalovirus infection in pregnant women in Diwaniyah, Iraq

Mohsen Abdul  Khadhur Al-Zubaidi; Seyed Masoud Hosseini; Mohsen Abdul Nemah  Al-Roudhan; Maather Baqer Hussein  Al-Harmooshee

doi:10.18502/ijm.v17i1.17810

Mohsen Abdul Khadhur Al-Zubaidi Department of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
Seyed Masoud Hosseini Department of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
Mohsen Abdul Nemah Al-Roudhan Department of Pathological Analysis Techniques, Faculty of Medical Technology, Najaf Islamic University, Diwaniyah, Iraq
Maather Baqer Hussein Al-Harmooshee Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Al Qadisiya, Diwaniyah, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v17i1.17810

Keywords: HCMV; Pregnant women; Seroepidemiology

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is the most common cause of congenital infection during pregnancy. It is a major concern worldwide with a wide range of clinical outcomes in fetuses and newborns due to HCMV reactivation or reinfection during pregnancy. Primary maternal infection is best diagnosed by examining IgM and IgG antibodies. The current study aimed epidemiology survey of congenital HCMV infection in pregnant women in Diwan- iyah.

Materials and Methods: 600 blood samples were collected from pregnant women, between 18-45 years old, in Diwaniyah Governorate for 12 months, from January to December 2022, in regards to their place of residence (urban or rural). All sam- ples were monitored for both IgG and IgM antibodies against HCMV using rapid test and ELISA.

Results: Our findings showed a high positive rate for IgG (95.7%) and (96.2%) and a positive rate for IgM (1.5%) and (1.8%) for rapid test and ELISA, respectively. The highest IgG positive rate was in the age group 26-35 years (43.33%), while the lowest rate (13.0%) was in the age group 36-45 years. The HCMV infection rate in rural and urban areas were (96.48%) and (95.26%), respectively, with no significant differences (P value>0.05). Also, the rate of miscarriages among pregnant women infected with HCMV was 28.83%, and the highest infection rate (30.51%) was recorded in the age group 26-35 years.

Conclusion: The prevalence of HCMV infection and its related miscarriage among the studied population is relatively high with the highest rate in the age group of 26-35 years.