The prenatal diagnosis for Cytomegalovirus in pregnant women

Abstract number: R2155

Evcil G., Kirdar S., Odabasi A.R., Aydin N.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the ratio of CMV seroconversion and the presence of CMV DNA in amniotic fluids from pregnant women in the Ayd[inodot]n region of Turkey.

Methods: During the period between March 2006 to December 2008, CMV-specific IgG and IgM were determined by EIA in 100 pregnant women who were performed amniocentesis at 17 to 21 weeks of gestation. Avidity index was studied by EIA. The pregnant women were classified as seropositive or not according to the presence of CMV-IgM and CMV-IgG and a primary or a recurrent CMV infection according to avidity index of anti-CMV IgG. CMV DNA was investigated in the amniotic fluid and blood samples by Real-Time (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.

Results: The rate of seropositivity was found as 95% and seronegativity as 5% in pregnant women and the fetal infection rate was found 1%. The only a pregnant woman was positive for CMV DNA by RT PCR and high avidity index. The infant whom mother determined CMV DNA in her amniotic fluid showed high avidity index. The another pregnant woman was found CMV IgM positive and also high avidity index but not detected CMV DNA in her amniotic fluid.

Conclusion: We concluded that the fetal CMV infection rate is very low due to high maternal seroprevalence in our region.