Serological ELISA Test (IgM & IgG) for Prospective Study of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection in Pregnant Women

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with significant maternal and fetal consequences. The aim of present study was to determine the current prenatal CMV seroprevalence in Eastern Azerbaijan and evaluate the routine laboratory diagnostic techniques of anti-CMV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). Methods: During the present prospective cross-sectional study, 125 women referred to No. 1 Laboratory of Specialized Clinics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and seeking prenatal care were evaluated during 2003-2006. CMV IgG and IgM antibodies were determined with ELISA technique. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS statistical package version 13.0. Results: Eight four percent of the subjects were seropositive. Out of 20 subjects with primary seronegativity, 12 (9.6%) remind seronegative during reexaminations and follow up, but eight (6.4%) subjects showed primary infection in the second to third trimesters of gestation. In two (1.6%) of these eight subjects, IgM was persisted for more than 20 months. Conclusion: Results showed a similar seroprevalence of CMV in Eastern Azerbaijan. Also, we found that ELISA IgM test was not an appropriate method for differentiation of past or recent CMV infections especially in the pregnant women.