Human cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin-G and immunoglobulin-M as serologic markers for human cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompromised children

ABSTRACT

Determination and estimation of levels of cytomegalovirus [immunoglobulin-G [IgG] and cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin-M [IgM]] in immunocompromised children suffering from leukemias and lymphomas will be of help in controlling the spread of infection of this virus among the community. One hundred and four children [74 immunocompromised patients and 30 control children] were enrolled in this study. Patients and control children were between 1-15 years old with a mean age of 8.6081 years [ +/- 3.9249 SD] and 7.5500 years [ +/- 3.3650 SD], respectively. All patients and controls were subjected to full history taking, complete blood picture, liver function tests and CMV markers [IgG and IgM] by ELISA technique. The results of this study concluded that immunocompromised children, especially those taking blood transfusion, are more liable to have CMV infection. The present study showed that, ELISA technique is highly sensitive method, easily to perform, reliable, not time consuming [takes only few hours] and simple in its interpretation: