Prevalence of cytomegalovirus IgG antibodies among women in Buguma, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous virus that belongs to the family of herpes virus. CMV causes serious illness in immuno-compromised patients and congenitally infected neonates. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of the immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies to cytomegalovirus among women in Buguma-City, Rivers State, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from 93 women from Buguma-City Health Centre between February and August 2022. Serum obtained from the blood samples was examined for CMV IgG antibodies by ELISA method. Among the 93 women investigated, 89 (95.7%) were seropositive for Cytomegalovirus IgG antibodies. A total prevalence rate of 100.0% was recorded in the age group of 20 to 30 years, with the highest prevalence, while 89.5% was found in the age group of 31 to 56 years. Among the 38 single women, all were found to be seropositive (100.0%) for Cytomegalovirus antibodies, while 51 (92.7%) of the 55 married women were seropositive. The women with a secondary level of education had a higher prevalence of 97.0% than those with a tertiary level of education, which had a prevalence of 95.0%. The unemployed women had a higher prevalence (95.8%) than the employed, which had a prevalence of 95.7%. The results were statistically significant with age (p = 0.01). There was no significant association (p>0.05) between CMV infection, marital status, education and occupation. The high prevalence of CMV infection observed in this study indicates that the virus is prevalent in the study area. Therefore, routine screening for CMV infection is advisable for all antenatal women in the State.