Seroprevalence of Human Cytomegalovirus IgG among Pregnant Females Visiting Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics in Taiz City, Yemen

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a common herpesvirus that affects nearly everyone. HCMV is a large an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the betaerpesvirinae subfamily. HCMV can be transmitted horizontally through the secretion of body or body fluids from person to person, or vertically from mother to child during primary infection. In this study, two hundred samples were collected from pregnant females that were visited three of obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Taiz city. Their ages ranged between (16-45) years. Samples were examined by using anti HCMV IgG ELISA kit. Anti-HCMV IgG positivity was found in 196 of the 200 (98%) of pregnant females tested, while only four of pregnant females were negative for anti-HCMV IgG antibodies. The highest rate of anti-HCMV IgG seropositivity was found among 31-35 and 41-45 age groups. 100% of third trimester pregnant females were seropositive to anti-HCMV IgG, while abortion was reported in 98.18% of seropositive pregnant females. Highest seroprevalence was among unemployed and non-educated females. Both females at urban and rural area are at risk of HCMV infection. The current study found a very high seroprevalence of anti-HCMV IgG antibody among Yemeni pregnant women in Taiz city. The good sanitation, proper diagnosis, education, and the development of vaccines and antiviral therapies may all aid in the control of HCMV-related congenital infection.