Cytomegalovirus DNAemia in pregnant women

J Clin Virol. 2014 Dec;61(4):590-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2014.10.002. Epub 2014 Oct 18.

Abstract

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) transmission from mother to fetus occurs at a much greater rate following primary rather than reactivated infections and CMV dissemination in the mother is considered a key step in the pathogenesis of fetal infection. However, knowledge of CMV DNAemia in CMV-seropositive pregnant women is very limited.

Objective: Major objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and diagnostic value of CMV DNAemia in a large population of seropositive pregnant women.

Study design: Serologic and DNAemia results obtained from 2211 blood samples of 1371 consecutive pregnant women referred to our Institution for suspected CMV infection in the period 2001-2010 were reviewed.

Results: DNAemia was detected in 452/597 (75.7%) women with serologic evidence of primary CMV infection and in 4/774 (0.5%) women without evidence of primary infection.

Conclusion: In pregnant women, CMV DNAemia is detected primarily during primary infection. CMV DNAemia determination may be helpful in the diagnosis of primary infection.

Keywords: DNAemia; Human cytomegalovirus; Non-primary infection; Pregnancy; Primary infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cytomegalovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • DNA, Viral / blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology
  • Prevalence
  • Viremia / diagnosis
  • Viremia / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • DNA, Viral