Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a type of herpes virus. This virus is one of the most common causes of congenital and prenatal infections. CMV infection in pregnant women, especially in the first trimester, may lead to congenital abnormalities in newborns. The prevalence of CMV infection in developed countries is approximately ۴۰%, and in developing countries, this prevalence may be up to ۱۰۰%. Because there is no information available related to the seroepidemiological patterns of this infection in different cities of
Alborz province, Iran, this study was conducted. This seroprevalence study was based on sera collected from adults who were referred to health care providers or Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Centers (MDLS) in
Alborz province, Iran, from ۲۰۱۱ to ۲۰۱۵ for different purposes. Using
ELISA (IgG), a retrospective serological survey of CMV antibodies in serum samples was performed in a non-immunized community. Frozen sera from ۲۰۰۱ individuals who were randomly selected by a cluster sampling technique were collected from spring ۲۰۱۳ to winter ۲۰۱۵. Seroprevalence was stratified by age (>۱ to <۵۰ years). Mathematical techniques were used to determine whether there is a relationship between CMV seroprevalence and age, sex, and level of education in this community. Data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test and the χ۲ test using SPSS software version ۱۱.۵. The mean age of seropositive individuals varied between ۱۵ and ۵۰ years. CMV IgG was found in ۱۸۱۳ (۹۱%) of ۲۰۰۱ individuals. In total, ۱۸۸ individuals (۹%) were negative for CMV IgG. There were significant relationships between seropositivity (CMV IgG) and age, sex, level of education, and level of antibody titer by sex. As in other developing countries, the prevalence of CMV infection in adults in
Alborz province is high. Since CMV infection is prevalent and there are potential abnormalities associated with it, we strongly recommend the expansion of preventive measures and the establishment of programs to inform at-risk populations, especially vulnerable populations such as transplant recipients, immunocompromised patients, and school children on how to prevent this infection and its associated consequences.