survey of cytomegalovirus infection in children and childbearing women in Iran

ABSTRACT

The incidence of cytomegalovirus [CMV] infection was studied among 426 children [< 14 years] and 950 women in childbearing age [14 - 45 years] during 1992-94 in Tehran. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], based on measurement of anti-CMV IgG, we found an incidence of 89.7% in children and 98.9% in women, respectively. There was a significant increase in incidence with age [P< 0.005] and no significant sex difference. The socio-economic status of the population under study from the two maternity clinics in north and south of Tehran showed no significant difference in CMV infection. Since 98.5% of young women entering childbearing years were sero-positive for CMV, it is concluded that there is a low risk of fetal infection