The seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus among Virginia State prisoners

A prevalence serosurvey of adult male prisoners entering the Virginia State Prison was conducted to evaluate the epidemiology of cytomegalovirus within this population. Four hundred and forty-five (97%) of 459 male inmates provided serum for analysis and 427 completed a detailed demographic questionnaire. Sera were tested for cytomegalovirus by passive latex agglutination and 64% were reactive. Multivariate discriminant analysis showed an independent association of seropositivity with age, non-white race, and a history of gonorrhea. There was no apparent contribution from admitted homosexual contact though this may have been under-reported. There was no correlation of seropositivity with intravenous drug use or with the length or number of prior incarcerations. Prisoners possess the same correlates for cytomegalovirus seropositivity as the general adult population; past imprisonment did not independently contribute to cytomegalovirus seropositivity.