Seroepidemiology of cytomegalovirus infections during the first years of life in urban communities

Abstract

Using indirect haemagglutination assay, combined with a collection of blood samples on blotting cards, seroepidemiological surveys of cytomegalovirus infections during early infancy have been done in different populations (French and immigrant) in urban areas. The comparison of CMV antibody status of mothers and their children at 10 months and at 2 years of age enables possible factors of viral transmission to be defined. During the first year of life, seropositive mothers were the only source of infection and they remained the main source during the second year. Socioeconomic class and educational level are determinant factors in the incidence of viral transmission.