Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus infection among pregnant women attending some hospitals in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Aliyu, Muhammad Sani; Sani, Kauna; Hussaini, Ibrahim Mohammed; Tijani, Muhammad Bashir; Garba, Ibrahim; Doko, Muhammad Hassan Isa; Sulaiman, Mamunu Abdulkadir; Abdurrazaq, Maryam; Abdullahi, Murjanatu Muhammad; Sulaiman, Asmau Nna

doi:10.21608/mid.2023.222922.1578

Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus infection among pregnant women attending some hospitals in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

² Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Federal University, Gusau, Nigeria

10.21608/mid.2023.222922.1578

Abstract

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection especially in pregnancy may cause complications such as congenital infections leading to neurological disabilities in children that result in blindness, neuro-developmental delay, and sensory neural hearing loss. This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Yusuf Dan Tsoho and 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospitals in Kaduna metropolis. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from ninety-two pregnant women and screened for CMV IgM antibodies using ELISA. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-demographic and risk factors associated with the CMV infection. Results: Out of the 92 pregnant women examined, 30 (32.6%) tested positive to CMV IgM antibodies. There was statistically significant association between CMV infection and occupation, previous pregnancy and sharing of cups or utensils. There was no significant association between CMV infection and marital status, gestation age, history of blood transfusion, age and educational level. Conclusion: The high prevalence of CMV infection observed in this study indicates that the virus is prevalent in the study area, and it is therefore advisable that routine screening of CMV infection be implemented for all pregnant women in the State.

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