High Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus Infection among Pregnant Women in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important public health problem worldwide and has been shown to be an important aetiological agent of intrauterine infection in pregnant women that results into congenital malformations such as cerebral palsy, blindness and sensor neural loss. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of human cytomegalovirus among pregnant women in Kwara State. Two hundred and twenty five (255) blood samples were collected from pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in two selected state Hospitals in Kwara State. Serum obtained from the blood samples were examined for the presence of CMV IgM and IgG antibodies by ELISA method. Out of the 225 pregnant women tested, 221 (98.2%) and 56 (24.9%) were CMV IgG and IgM positive, respectively. A significant statistical relation was observed between CMV IgG seropositivity and gestational age, occupation and marriage type, while the age, parity and gestational age were significantly associated with CMV IgM seropositivity. This extremely high level of CMV infection among these pregnant women as observed in this study indicates that the virus is prevalent in the study area. It is therefore imperative to implement a routine CMV infection screening in pregnant women within the State and also need for vaccination in order to prevent birthing of children with avoidable birth defects.