High seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus infection among pregnant women in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
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Date
2017
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Volume Title
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Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Ilorin. Ilorin, 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
Description
Keywords
Seroprevalence, Cytomegalovirus, IgG, IgM, Pregnant women.