Prevalence of cytomegalovirus infection in child bearing age women in Mosul, Iraq

ABSTRACT

The enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA] was used for estimation of specific cytomegalovirus IgM and IgG antibodies in sera of 200 pregnant women and 100 unmarried women. IgM was detected in 2.5% and 1% in both groups respectively. IgG was detected in 90.0% and 84.0% in both groups respectively. The seropositivity rate was higher in multigravida than in primigravida. The rate of infection was higher in pregnant women at third stage of gestation than those in the first and second stage. We conclude that infection with CMV in Childbearing age women is high which may carry increasing risk of intrauterine transmission with subsequent congenital infection and late sequalae. Follow up study of infants at risk is needed and has already been planned