Increased rate of cytomegalovirus infection among day care center workers

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Virology
• Public Health

Background:

• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a leading cause of congenital infections in the U.S.
• Preschool children frequently shed and transmit CMV to close contacts.
• Child care settings represent a potential occupational hazard for CMV exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the risk of occupational cytomegalovirus acquisition among child care workers.
• To identify demographic and occupational factors associated with CMV seropositivity and seroconversion.
• To inform prevention strategies and counseling for child care workers, particularly those of childbearing potential.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional seroprevalence study of CMV antibodies in child care workers from 32 centers.
• Longitudinal follow-up of initially seronegative workers to determine seroconversion rates.
• Logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for CMV seropositivity and seroconversion.

Main Results:

• 62.5% of enrolled child care workers were seropositive for CMV antibodies.
• Seroconversion occurred in 19 initially seronegative workers over a median of 14 months, at a rate of 20%/year.
• Contact with children under 3 years of age for ≥20 hours/week was significantly associated with seroconversion (P=0.03).
• Older age and nonwhite race were associated with initial seropositivity.

Conclusions:

• Child care workers exhibit a significantly elevated risk of CMV acquisition.
• Occupational exposure, particularly to younger children, drives increased CMV infection rates in this population.
• Pregnant child care workers require counseling on CMV risks, prevention, and implications for pregnancy.