Abstract

Background: Despite, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection being associated with a potential risk to the fetus, there is limited data from Tanzania and many other developing countries regarding the epidemiology and the impact of CMV infections. This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2014 and June 2015 among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in the city of Mwanza, Tanzania to investigate the magnitude and associated factors of CMV infection.

Methods: The specific CMV IgM and IgG antibodies were detected using indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Demographic and clinical data were collected using pre-tested data collection tool. Data were analysed using STATA version 13.

Results: A total of 261 pregnant women with median age of 20 (IQR 19–25) years and mean gestation age of 17 ± 7.8 weeks were enrolled. The seroprevalence of CMV IgG antibodies was 193(73.9%; 95% CI 67.2–79.6) while that of CMV IgM antibodies was 0.4%. As the age increased by one unit the IgG seroprevalence was found to increase by 0.3% (95% CI 0.13–0.47, p = 0.001) whereas the risk of being IgG positive increased by 24%. On multivariable logistic regression analysis only urban residence (OR 6.329, 95% CI 2.885–13.887, p < 0.001) was found to independently predict CMV IgG seropositivity. Regarding the outcomes of previous pregnancies the history of miscarriage independently predicted IgG seropositivity (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.29–24.178, p = 0.021). The IgM seropositive woman had fatal outcome of the term delivery of the baby with microcephaly and spinal-bifida.

Conclusion: Cytomegalovirus seroprevalence among pregnant women residing in urban areas of Mwanza city, Tanzania is high and is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. There is a need to emphasize routine screening of CMV in order to establish the impact of CMV during pregnancy.