Cytomegalovirus prevalence in pregnant women: the influence of parity

Early hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation: a systematic review of the incidence, outcome and risk factors

To clarify inconsistencies in the literature we performed a systematic review to identify the incidence, risk factors and outcome of early hepatic artery thrombosis (eHAT) after liver transplantation. We searched studies identified from databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index) and references of identified studies. Seventy-one studies out of 999 screened abstracts were eligible for this systematic review. The incidence of eHAT was 4.4% (843/21, 822); in children 8.3% and 2.9% in adults (p < 0.001). Doppler ultrasound screening (DUS) protocols varied from 'no routine' to 'three times a day.' The median time to detection was at day seven. The overall retransplantation rate was 53.1% and was higher in children (61.9%) than in adults (50%, p < 0.03). The overall mortality rate of patients with eHAT was 33.3% (range: 0-80%). Mortality in adults (34.3%) was higher than in children (25%, p < 0.03). The reported risk factors for eHAT were, cytomegalovirus mismatch (seropositive donor liver in seronegative recipient), retransplantation, arterial conduits, prolonged operation time, low recipient weight, variant arterial anatomy, and low volume transplantation centers. eHAT is associated with significant graft loss and mortality. Uniform definitions of eHAT and uniform treatment modalities are obligatory to confirm these results and to obtain a better understanding of this disastrous complication.

The burden of infection with cytomegalovirus in England and Wales: how many women are infected in pregnancy?

A serological survey was used to investigate the epidemiology of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in England and Wales. A total of 5237 sera representing the complete age range were used reflecting the general population. The sera were collected in 1991 and 2002, and screened for CMV-specific IgG by ELISA. Antibody prevalence increased with age from approximately 15% in those aged 1-4 years to approximately 80% in those aged > or = 65 years with no association with gender or region. Analysing by common birth cohort demonstrated that between 1991 and 2002 incidence was highest in children born 1985-1989 (1.62% per year, 95% CI 0.86-2.35), lower in older children and younger adults born 1950-1984 (0.75% per year, 95% CI 0.29-1.19) with little evidence of infection in older adults born pre-1950 (0% per year, 95% CI 0-0.64). Application to population and live-birth estimates for England and Wales suggested that between 1991 and 2002, 159 996 (95% CI 67922-278277) CMV infections occurred annually with an annual average of 2133 (95% CI 816-3435) infections affecting pregnant females.

The prognostic value of ultrasound abnormalities and biological parameters in blood of fetuses infected with cytomegalovirus

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prognostic value of ultrasound abnormalities and of selected biological parameters in blood of fetuses infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV).

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

SETTING

Two fetal medicine units in Paris, France.

POPULATION

All fetuses infected with CMV referred between 1998 and 2006.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed data collected prospectively in 73 fetuses infected by CMV with a positive CMV polymerase chain reaction in amniotic fluid. Fetal blood sampling (FBS) was performed for evaluation of platelet count, plasma levels of aminotransferases and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidases (GGT), presence of viraemia and specific fetal immunoglobulin M. Targeted ultrasound examination was performed every fortnight. Ultrasound findings were categorised into normal examination and any ultrasound abnormality, which was further grouped as ultrasound abnormality of the fetal brain and noncerebral ultrasound abnormality.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

A combination of histological findings after termination of pregnancy and evidence of cytomegalic inclusion disease at birth when pregnancies were continued. Clinical symptoms at birth or histological lesions attributable to CMV were considered as poor outcome. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine the value of each parameter to predict outcome. Logistic regression was used to build up a multivariate model combining the relevant parameters.

RESULTS

In univariate analysis, only thrombocytopenia and the presence of any ultrasound abnormality were associated with a poor outcome (P < 10(-4) for both abnormalities). In the multivariate analysis, both thrombocytopenia and the presence of ultrasound abnormalities remained significant independent predictors of a poor outcome. Based on univariate logistic regression, odds ratio for a poor outcome were 1.24, 7.2, 22.5 and 25.5 for each 10,000/mm(3) decrease in platelet count, the presence of noncerebral, any ultrasound and cerebral ultrasound abnormalities, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The prognosis of CMV-infected fetuses relies independently on both targeted ultrasound examination and fetal platelet count. FBS for platelet count may therefore justify FBS in infected fetuses even in the absence of ultrasound. features of brain involvement.

Acquired aplastic anaemia in seven children with severe hepatitis with or without liver failure

AIM

Aplastic anaemia following hepatitis may develop in as many as 1 of 3 patients with non-A, non-B and non-C hepatitis. Several causative factors have been discussed, such as viral infections and autoimmunity. Here we describe the natural history of this condition in 7 children and investigate possible hepatitis-causing agents.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records, bone marrow and liver biopsies of 7 children with severe hepatitis, with or without liver failure, who subsequently had developed aplastic anaemia.

RESULTS

The median time from onset of hepatic symptoms until diagnosed onset of aplasia was 54 days. No associated viral infections could be identified. On liver biopsy, a majority had lobular inflammation but lacked signs of autoimmune hepatitis, findings compatible with a viral aetiology. Three of 6 children had low reticulocyte counts already at onset of hepatitis. All, but one patient is alive at median follow-up of 8 years.

CONCLUSION

The unknown pathogenetic mechanism appears to target liver and bone marrow simultaneously, because half of the children concomitantly had low reticulocyte counts and severe liver failure.

Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus infection in the United States, 1988-1994

BACKGROUND

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a leading cause of congenital illness and disability, including hearing loss and mental retardation. However, there are no nationwide estimates of CMV seroprevalence among pregnant women or the overall population of the United States.

METHODS

To determine CMV prevalence in a representative sample of the US population, we tested serum samples for CMV-specific immunoglobulin G from participants aged > or =6 years (n=21,639) in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994).

RESULTS

The prevalence of CMV infection was 58.9% in individuals > or =6 years old. CMV seroprevalence increased gradually with age, from 36.3% in 6-11-year-olds to 90.8% in those aged > or =80 years. CMV seroprevalence differed by race and/or ethnicity as follows: 51.2% in non-Hispanic white persons, 75.8% in non-Hispanic black persons, and 81.7% in Mexican Americans. Racial and/or ethnic differences in CMV seroprevalence persisted when controlling for household income level, education, marital status, area of residence, census region, family size, country of birth, and type of medical insurance. Among women, racial and/or ethnic differences were especially significant; between ages 10-14 years and 20-24 years, seroprevalence increased 38% for non-Hispanic black persons, 7% for non-Hispanic white persons, and <1% for Mexican Americans.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of these results, we estimate that each year in the United States approximately 340,000 non-Hispanic white persons, 130,000 non-Hispanic black persons, and 50,000 Mexican American women of childbearing age experience a primary CMV infection. Given the number of women at risk and the significance of congenital disease, development of programs for the prevention of CMV infection, such as vaccination or education, is of considerable public health importance.

Cytomegalovirus as an occupational risk in daycare educators

BACKGROUND

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection continues to be an important occupational risk in the daycare setting. A comprehensive update of scientific evidence is timely to inform and promote appropriate preventive measures.

METHODS

A review of the literature was conducted to examine the evidence for an occupational risk of CMV infection in daycare educators. Sources included Medline, government documents and additional references from published bibliographies. The key words used for searches were 'child day care centres' or 'nurseries' and 'cytomegalovirus' or 'cytomegalovirus infection'.

RESULTS

EIGHT CMV SEROPREVALENCE STUDIES ON DAYCARE EDUCATORS IN INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES WERE FOUND: four in the United States, three in Canada and one in Italy. Risk factors for seropositivity were older age, nonwhite race, foreign birth, birth in a low- or middle-income country, diaper changing, having children at home, and a child to educator ratio greater than 6:1 in children 18 to 35 months of age. Risk factors for seroconversion were younger age and working with young children. These studies suggest that daycare centres may be a high-risk setting for CMV infection.

DISCUSSION

Recommendations to prevent CMV infection in this setting include handwashing, selective serological screening, avoiding work with younger children if pregnant and, in some cases, preventive leave from work. Evaluation and expert opinion of the effectiveness of various preventive options for CMV acquisition are needed to ensure that recommendations are evidence-based.

[Pilot epidemiologic study of transmission of cytomegalovirus from mother to preterm infant by breastfeeding]

Transmission of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection from mothers to preterm infants during breastfeeding may be symptomatic and long term consequences are unknown. This study evaluated the kinetics of CMV load in breastmilk and the rate of postnatal CMV transmission via breastmilk from mothers to their preterm infants.

METHODS

Prospective study of mother-child pairs after preterm delivery before 33 weeks. Exclusion of donor breast milk and of CMV-seropositive blood products. Material used was maternal CMV serostatus, ear swab of the infant at birth, weekly screened breast milk and children's urine by rapid viral culture.

RESULTS

During a 5-month period 28 mother-infant pairs with 34 preterm infants were studied. Eighteen women (64.3%) were CMV-seronegative at birth; breastmilk samples and the infants' urine remained CMV-negative. Eight of the 10 seropositive mothers, who had 11 preterm infants, excreted CMV into breast milk (80%). CMV excretion into breast milk was detected during the first week after delivery in 66% cases and was at its peaked between 3 to 5 weeks after delivery. Out of the 7 CMV-exposed infants, CMV transmission was confirmed in only one asymptomatic case. Total quantity of breast milk intake did not seem discriminative for CMV transmission.

CONCLUSION

In CMV-seropositive mothers of preterm infants a high incidence of CMV excretion into breast milk was detected. Despite this high rate, symptomatic infection did not occur. However, potential risk and severity of infection may be difficult to establish. Because breastfeeding is beneficial, new procedures for gentle virus inactivation of seropositive breast milk should be assessed.

Pre- and periconceptional primary cytomegalovirus infection: risk of vertical transmission and congenital disease

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the risk of congenital cytomegalovirus infection and disease following primary maternal infection around the time of conception compared with the risk during later stages of pregnancy.

DESIGN

Cohort study between 1990 and 2003.

SETTING

Germany.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and sixty-six pregnant women with serologically confirmed primary cytomegalovirus infection and known outcome.

METHODS

Timing of primary cytomegalovirus infection by analysing the kinetics of cytomegalovirus-specific IgG and IgM antibodies, the IgG avidity index and neutralising antibodies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Onset of maternal primary infection in relation to congenital infection and disease.

RESULTS

Preconceptional (between eight and two weeks before onset of the last menstrual period) was determined in three women and did not lead to congenital infection. Periconceptional infection (between one week before and five weeks after last menstrual period) occurred in 20 women with congenital infection in nine cases (45%). Timing was less precise (between eight weeks before and five weeks after last menstrual period) in an additional 10 women, three cases of which resulted in congenital infection. Of the 12 pregnancies in which congenital infection occurred, seven were terminated, six before the 12th week of gestation (WG 12) and one at WG 19 due to fetal hyperechogenic bowel. One of the five infected live-born infants delivered to a mother with periconceptional infection showed dystrophy and mild microcephaly at birth, but had a rather normal development at two years of age. Primary infections occurring between WG 6-20 and WG 20-38 resulted in transmission rates of 30% (27/89) and 58% (18/31), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Counselling of women with periconceptional primary cytomegalovirus infection should be adjusted to offer prenatal diagnosis and high-level ultrasound controls due to the considerable risk for fetal infection and uncertainty of clinical outcome and disease.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and cytomegalovirus infection in children with vertically acquired HIV infection

OBJECTIVES

The outcome of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in HIV-infected infants is poor, and the role of cytomegalovirus (CMV) co-infection in the course and outcome of PCP is unclear. This study describes the prevalence, clinical characteristics, management and changes in survival over time of vertically HIV-infected infants developing PCP and/or CMV infection.

METHODS

Data on children with HIV, born in the UK and Ireland and reported to the National Study of HIV in Pregnancy and Childhood, with PCP and/or CMV were combined with clinical information collected from reporting paediatricians.

RESULTS

By April 1998, 340 vertically HIV-infected children had been reported, of whom 93 had PCP and/or CMV, as their first AIDS indicator disease; 85 (91%) were infants. Among infants with PCP, 79% were born to mothers not diagnosed as HIV infected, and there was an independent and statistically significant association with breast-feeding, being black African, and developing CMV disease. Median survival after PCP and/or CMV was significantly better in those born between 1993 and 1998 compared with those born before 1993 (P = 0.009), and worse than after other AIDS diagnoses (P = 0.01). Infants with dual infection were more likely to be ventilated (P = 0.003) and receive corticosteroids (P = 0.002) than those with PCP alone.

CONCLUSION

Although survival from PCP and CMV has improved over time, these remain serious and potentially fatal infections among infants in whom maternal HIV status is not recognized in pregnancy. Breast-feeding increases the risk of combined PCP and CMV infection, which is associated with severe disease.

Prevalence of cytomegalovirus infection among health care workers in pediatric and immunosuppressed adult units

The prevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection varies not only from one country to another, but also with social, economic, and environmental conditions and with professional activity. Health care workers in contact with the main vectors of the CMV (i.e., children and immunosuppressed patients) are particularly exposed to the infection. We assessed the prevalence of the virus among health care personnel in light of CMV epidemiology and the recent shift in living conditions and family size. Our study was included in a broader program evaluating the risk of infection among female hospital workers of childbearing age. The goal of the program was to implement appropriate preventive measures for personnel who were not immune to the infection. Consequently, we included only female caregivers who worked with children or immunosuppressed patients. The study was based on a clinical examination, a medical and occupational questionnaire, the assessment of tasks performed; and CMV serologic testing. The overall seroprevalence was 44.25% in our population (n = 400) and was comparable regardless of the place of work. Prevalence differed significantly with age and parity, and we also found that it was higher among personnel who worked in closer contact with the patients (nurse's aides, pediatric nurse's aides) than among those whose tasks required more technical skills (nurses, pediatric nurses) (57.3% vs 34.5%, P < 0.01). The logistic regression analysis between prevalence of CMV antibodies, age, parity, and type of job showed that "contact job" was as significant a factor as parity to explain immunization in our population (odds ratio, 2.2). We also determined a correlation between the prevalence of CMV antibodies and tasks performed. In addition, we found a non-negligible group of non-immune personnel (55.75%) and young workers (mean age: 33.4) who were potentially exposed to infection. This points to the need to establish a prevention program.

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a neonatal intensive care unit in brazil evaluated by PCR and association with perinatal aspects

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common congenital infection, affecting 0.4% to 2.3% newborns. Most of them are asymptomatic at birth, but later 10% develop handicaps, mainly neurological disturbances. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of CMV shed in urine of newborns from a neonatal intensive care unit using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and correlate positive cases to some perinatal aspects. Urine samples obtained at first week of life were processed according to a PCR protocol. Perinatal data were collected retrospectively from medical records. Twenty of the 292 cases (6.8%) were CMV-DNA positive. There was no statistical difference between newborns with and without CMV congenital infection concerning birth weight (p=0.11), gestational age (p=0.11), Apgar scores in the first and fifth minutes of life (p=0.99 and 0. 16), mother's age (p=0.67) and gestational history. Moreover, CMV congenital infection was neither related to gender (p=0.55) nor to low weight (<2,500 g) at birth (p=0.13). This high prevalence of CMV congenital infection (6.8%) could be due to the high sensitivity of PCR technique, the low socioeconomic level of studied population or the severe clinical status of these newborns.

Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus infection among children and females in Ankara, Turkey, 1995

BACKGROUND

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most frequent known cause of congenital viral infections in humans. Cytomegalovirus is endemic throughout the world, affecting most of the population where the seroprevalence of CMV IgG is known to vary among countries.

METHODS

The present study was designed to show the prevalence of CMV antibodies among children aged 1 day to 15 years and women of child-bearing age in Ankara, Turkey. Antibodies to CMV were analyzed in serum samples of 318 children and 745 women using a passive particle-agglutination test.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of CMV antibodies was 90.6% among children and 99% among women aged 15-49 years. The difference between stratified age groups was not statistically significant (chi 2 = 4.92, P = 0.177) in either children or females.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirm that CMV is very prevalent in Turkey and is at the higher end of worldwide ranges. Using the results of the present study, the transmission mode of CMV infection and the risk for congenital CMV infection are discussed. We have come to the conclusion that the risk of fetal infection in Turkey cannot be predicted; however, most CMV infections in the first year of life are transmitted from mother to infant and this is the main source of infection in Turkey.

Clinical survey of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in Japan

BACKGROUND

The clinical features of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in countries with a higher percentage of maternal seropositivity for CMV has rarely been reported. We conducted a national survey for the first time in Japan to investigate the prevalence of congenital CMV infection.

METHODS

Questionnaires were sent in 1994 to pediatricians and obstetricians of 3398 hospitals with either more than 100 beds or a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The questionnaire asked for the number of new cases in 1992 and 1993, maternal status of CMV infection, diagnostic methods, clinical manifestations at birth, sequelae and prognosis.

RESULTS

A total of 46 cases of CMV infection were reported for the years 1992 and 1993 by 1448 hospitals; of these 39 were symptomatic. The annual incidence of symptomatic disease was 1.6 cases/100,000 live births. Major clinical manifestations such as low birthweight, hepatosplenomegaly, petechiae and intracranial calcification were noted at birth in 38-50% of symptomatic neonates. Sequelae, such as hearing loss, mental retardation and motor disability developed in 71% of survivors. Thirty-five percent of the 49 infected infants had either died or had severe disability. Several clinical manifestations at birth, including petechiae/thrombocytopenia, were significantly associated with severe sequelae or a poor prognosis.

CONCLUSION

The lower frequency of clinical findings at birth may be attributed to the higher seroprevalence of pregnant women in Japan than in Europe and the United States.

Seroprevalences of Toxoplasma, malaria, rubella, cytomegalovirus, HIV and treponemal infections among pregnant women in Cotonou, Republic of Benin

Seroprevalences for toxoplasmosis, malaria, rubella, cytomegalovirus, HIV and treponemal infections were evaluated among 211 pregnant women residing in the Cotonou area, Republic of Benin. One hundred and thirteen women (53.6%) had toxoplasma antibodies, 185 (87.7%) malaria antibodies and 181 (85.8%) rubella antibodies. Among the 205 (97.2%) women with cytomegalovirus antibodies, 6 presented recent or current infection. No HIV seropositivity was detected. Five (2.4%) of these women had a positive treponematosis serology corresponding to previous infection or reinfection. These results were compared with previous studies conducted in Africa. Routine serological screening should be recommended in young age and in pregnancy for rubella, only in pregnant women for HIV and toxoplasma infections, in order to control their possible consequences on women and newborns.