Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus infection in a selected population in Jamaica

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) was determined by the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a selected population of 2655 in Jamaica. The overall prevalence rate was 95 percent, increasing from 56.2 percent in children 1-4 years of age to 90 percent in the 15-19 years age group and by 25 years of age 97 percent of subjects had been exposed to CMV. The prevalence rate in children (58.4 percent) was significantly lower than that in blood donors (84 percent), sexually transmitted disease clinic attendants (95 percent) and antenatal women (97 percent) (P< 0.001). The prevalence rate in STD clinic attendants and pregnant women was also significantly higher than in blood donors (P< 0.05). The prevalence of CMV infection in the selected population, the clinical implications, routes of transmission and socioenvironmental factors are discussed (AU)