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Published on: July 9, 2014
Cytomegalovirus viral and antibody correlates in young children
Sheila C Dollard1, Harry Keyserling, Kay Radford
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. sgd5@cdc.gov.
Insights
Young children shedding cytomegalovirus (CMV) are a key source of infection for pregnant women. Antibody levels and daycare attendance correlate with CMV shedding in healthy children.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
Background:
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) primary infection in pregnant women is often linked to exposure to infected young children.
- Understanding the transmission dynamics from children to pregnant women is crucial for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cytomegalovirus (CMV) shedding and antibody profiles in young, healthy children.
- To determine the correlation between CMV antibody status, shedding, and potential risk factors like daycare attendance.
Main Methods:
- Screened 48 children (6 months - 5 years) for CMV IgG, IgM, and IgG avidity antibodies.
- Measured CMV viral loads and shedding frequency in blood, urine, and saliva.
- Analyzed associations between antibody titers, shedding, and daycare enrollment.
Main Results:
- 27% of children were CMV IgG positive; 3 had recent primary infection indicated by IgM positivity.
- 69% of seropositive children shed CMV DNA (10^2-10^5 copies/ml) in bodily fluids.
- Low IgG titers correlated with absence of shedding (p=0.014); daycare attendance correlated with shedding (p=0.037).
Conclusions:
- CMV antibody profiles accurately reflect shedding status in children.
- CMV IgM positivity in children often signifies primary infection.
- Findings enhance understanding of pediatric CMV infection, aiding prevention of transmission to pregnant women.
Background:
Young, healthy children shedding cytomegalovirus (CMV) in urine and saliva appear to be the leading source of CMV in primary infection of pregnant women.
Findings:
We screened 48 children 6 months - 5 years old for CMV IgG and measured levels of CMV IgG, IgM and IgG avidity antibodies, frequency of CMV shedding, and viral loads in blood, urine, and saliva. Thirteen of the 48 children (27%) were CMV IgG positive, among whom 3 were also CMV IgM positive with evidence of recent primary infection. Nine of the 13 seropositive children (69%) were shedding 102-105 copies/ml of CMV DNA in one or more bodily fluid. Among seropositive children, low IgG antibody titer (1:20-1:80) was associated with the absence of shedding (p = 0.014), and enrollment in daycare was associated with the presence of CMV shedding (p = 0.037).
Conclusions:
CMV antibody profiles correlated with CMV shedding. The presence of CMV IgM more often represents primary infection in children than in adults. Correlating antibodies with primary infection and viral shedding in healthy children adds to the understanding of CMV infection in children that can inform the prevention of CMV transmission to pregnant women.
