The New Indian Journal of OBGYN 3(2)

A serological study of cytomegalovirus infection in patients presenting with bad obstetric history attending Assam Medical College and Hospital

Liza Goswami, Kalpana Bezborah, Lahari Saikia

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in patients with bad obstetrics history (BOH). Methods: This study was carried out for a period of one year, from June 2012 to May 2013. A total of 80 cases were screened by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the presence of Cytomegalovirus specific IgG and IgM antibodies. The study population was divided into two groups - 40 randomly selected women with BOH and 40 normally pregnant women without any BOH attending Assam Medical College and Hospital. Results: CMV specific IgG antibodies were detected in 37(92.50%) of the patients with BOH and in 32(80%) of those without any BOH. IgM antibodies were positive in 8(20%) of the patients with BOH, while none of those without BOH were IgM seropositive. IgM seropositivity was found to be significantly associated with the patients with BOH (p<0.05). Significantly higher prevalence rates of IgG were observed with increasing age (p value<0.05) and declining socio-economic conditions. Conclusion: This study revealed high prevalence of seropositivity for CMV in women presenting with bad obstetric history. All these findings indicate that Cytomegalovirus infection is not uncommon in our local population and may play a vital role in determining the foetal outcome. Hence screening and prevention of CMV infection, especially in the pregnant women is very essential.