Cytomegalovirus antibodies amongst healthy blood donors at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (Luth)

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is found universally throughout all geographic locations and socioeconomic groups. CMV is also the virus most frequently transmitted to a developing child before birth. CMV infection is more widespread in developing countries and in areas of lower socioeconomic conditions. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibodies amongst healthy blood donors at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Also to determine whether previous history of blood transfusion is an important cause of CMV transmission. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out amongst clients attending the blood donor clinic at LUTH who were recruited consecutively. A total of 5mls of blood sample was collected per consenting participant. The serum obtained was assayed for CMV IgG/IgM using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based Kit .Statistical analysis of results was done using the following computer soft wares , Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS11.0), Microsoft excel, file maker Pro, and Epi-Info 6.0 as appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 122 healthy donors were recruited for the study. The results showed 96% of the donors were IgG anti-CMV positive whilst 19.5% were IgM anti-CMV positive. Previous history of blood transfusion was not significantly related to CMV positivity. CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence of CMV appears to be very high in this environment amongst healthy blood donors. The presence of IgM anti-CMV in a quarter of Blood donors is of clinical relevance particularly in the event of transfusion of neonates and immunocompromised persons in a society where CMV screening is not a routine pre-transfusion test KEY WORDS: CMV IgG/IgM, healthy blood donors, Elis