Work

Cytomegalovirus Seroprevalence in Northern Poland in the Population Planning Pregnancy and Pregnant Women

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Cytomegalovirus is an enveloped DNA virus. All forms of CMV infection-primary infection, reactivation, and infection with a different strain-may be asymptomatic. The risk of vertical transmission in the periconceptional period is approximately 20%, the risk of primary infection in the first trimester is approximately 30%, and in the third trimester the risk increases to 70%. However, the most severe forms of congenital cytomegaly in newborns are related to infections in the periconceptional period. Offering a vaccine to the seronegative patients planning pregnancy may decrease incidents of congenital cytomegaly in neonates. The authors performed retrospective analysis of seroprevalence of CMV in 909 women who reported for pre-conceptional visits or routine pregnancy follow-ups (2003-2023). In the analyzed group, 577 (63.7%) women were seropositive. No influence related to the women's age and place of residence was found. Higher seroprevalence was observed in women with children or those working in contact with many people. In the group of 332 seronegative patients, 21 (0.6%) were diagnosed with primary infection during pregnancy. Vaccinating 36.3% of patients planning pregnancy could significantly decrease the risk of primary infection during pregnancy, vertical transmission of CMV, and symptomatic infection in the neonates.

Source: Viruses

DOI: 10.3390/v17040537

Authors: Małgorzata Świątkowska-Freund, Szymon Bednarek, Natalia Sasak-Cieślar, Natalia Kocięcka, Paweł Powroźnik, Anna Waldman

Institutions: Provincial Polyclinical Hospital in Toruń, Gdańsk Medical University, Poznan University of Medical Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137