[Frequency of acute cytomegalovirus infections among people of differing age groups]

Voprosy Virusologii
|April 6, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is rare in newborns but increases with age, affecting 5-6% of children and peaking at 15% in adults. This study assessed CMV-specific IgM antibodies across pediatric and adult populations.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Epidemiology

Context:

  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus with varying prevalence across age groups.
  • Understanding CMV infection incidence is crucial for public health and clinical management.

Purpose:

  • To determine the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection by measuring CMV-specific IgM antibodies in children and adults.
  • To analyze age-specific patterns of acute CMV infection.

Summary:

  • The study analyzed sera from 1312 children and 250 adults using an enzyme immunoassay for anti-CMV IgM.
  • CMV-specific IgM was detected in 1.3% of newborns, rising to 5% by the first year of life.
  • Incidence reached 5-6% in preschool and schoolchildren, with the highest rate of 15% observed in adults, indicating acute CMV infection.

Impact:

  • Provides essential epidemiological data on CMV infection prevalence in a pediatric and adult cohort.
  • Highlights the increasing incidence of CMV infection from infancy through adulthood.
  • Informs strategies for CMV prevention, diagnosis, and management in different age demographics.

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