Prospective Evaluation of Anti-CMV Antibodies in Blood Donors: Links To Blood Group and Demographic Characteristics

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroprevalence among blood donors is crucial, particularly for high-risk recipient groups such as immunocompromised patients, transplant recipients, and low birth weight neonates. This study aimed to evaluate the association of ABO blood group, age, gender, residential background, educational qualifications and occupation with anti-CMV IgG and IgM antibody levels among whole blood donors. A prospective study was conducted on 2,010 whole blood donors between November 2024 and January 2025. Donor characteristics including ABO blood group, age, gender residential background, educational qualifications and occupation were analyzed in relation to anti-CMV IgG and IgM antibody levels using Kruskal-Wallis test, independent t-test, linear regression, Spearman's rho correlation and chi square test of independence. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. 98.4% of the donors were males and 1.6% females. Blood group B was most common (34.67%) and AB least (7.76%). Blood group O donors showed highest mean IgG levels (68.76 ± 65), while B group had lowest (67.19 ± 65.89). Inter-blood group difference was not statistically significant (p = .52). IgG levels were significantly higher in males than females (p = .04). Urban donors had higher mean IgG levels than rural donors, though the difference was not significant (p = .4). Those with graduate or higher education and those with business as occupation had higher IgM and IgG levels, with no significant difference. A positive correlation between age and IgG levels was observed (p = .01), while IgM levels showed a non-significant inverse correlation with age (p = .17). Maximum number of donors had medium IgG antibody levels (25.2-86.2 U/ml). Analyzing the distribution of anti-CMV antibodies across donor demographics helps in identifying CMV-negative donors. This highlights the importance of recruiting voluntary male blood donors under 30 years of age to ensure safer transfusion practices and support personalized care for vulnerable patient groups.