CMV Serovirulance in Mothers and Their Very Low Birth Weight (<۱,۵۰۰) Neonates in Tehran City, Iran, in a Year

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a pathogenic virus that is found everywhere. The serovirulance of this virus varies widely among different communities. The present study was conducted to investigate the frequency of CMV serovirulance in mothers and their very low birth weight (<۱,۵۰۰ g) neonates. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on ۲۳۴ serum samples (۱۱۷ maternal and ۱۱۷ neonatal samples) for ۱۲ months in Mahdieh Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from March ۲۰۱۹ to March ۲۰۲۰. The enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay technique was used to evaluate specific antibodies (i.e., immunoglobulin G [IgG] and immunoglobulin M [IgM]) of CMV. Statistical analysis was conducted in SPSS (version ۲۳). Results: Based on the results, the seroprevalence of CMV IgG was ۹۸.۲% (۱۱۵ cases) in mothers and ۸۴.۶% (۹۹ cases) in neonates. The seropositivity rate of CMV IgM was reported at ۱.۸% (۲ cases) in mothers and ۰.۹% (۱ case) in neonates. It was found that the relationship between the mean scores of maternal CMV IgG and the number of live births was statistically significant (P=۰.۰۰۲). However, there was no statistically significant relationship between some maternal factors (e.g., age, occupation, living place, number of pregnancies, deliveries, abortions, and education) and maternal CMV IgM seropositivity. Furthermore, neonatal gender and gestational age showed no statistically significant relationship with maternal and neonatal CMV IgG and IgM seropositivity. Conclusion: According to our findings, the serovirulance of CMV in mothers and their neonates was significant, whereas active CMV infection in both groups was highly unusual. Additionally, the transmission rate of CMV IgG and CMV IgM from the mother to her neonate was incomplete.    

Keywords:

Cytomegalovirus , Neonates , Serovirulance , Very low birth weight