Cytomegalovirus infection in a day-care center in the municipality of São Paulo

Abstract

The prevalence of antibodies against cytomegalovirus (CMV) and the incidence of CMV infection were tested in 98 children aged 5 to 36 months who attended the day-care center of a University hospital in São Paulo. At the beginning of the study the overall prevalence of anti-CMV IgG antibodies was 44% (43/98). Saliva and/or urine samples were obtained from 38 of the 43 children that were seropositive at the beginning of the study for isolation of the virus, and 52.6% of these children were found to excrete CMV in one of the two materials. Among the 37 children that were initially seronegative from whom it was possible to obtain a new blood sample 6 to 12 months later, 22 (59.5%) presented seroconversion. The rate of viral excretion through urine or saliva from the children that seroconverted was 50%. These results indicate that CMV infection is frequent and occurs early among the children who attend this day-care center. However, controlled studies using molecular epidemiology techniques are needed to define more precisely the role of day-care centers in CMV dissemination.

Occupational risk of human Cytomegalovirus and Parvovirus B19 infection in female day care personnel in the Netherlands; a study based on seroprevalence

“…Our data are important as CMV is not considered a public health problem in the Netherlands, whereas other countries, such as the US, recognise that women within certain professions like day care are more at risk of acquiring a primary CMV infection during pregnancy [9,10]. The rate of CMV IgG seropositivity found in our control group mirrors the 35% observed in an earlier Dutch study performed by Gaytant and coworkers [7].…”

“…In addition, infected children may excrete CMV for a prolonged time. According to different reports, up to 50% of children attending day care centres may excrete CMV [9].…”

“…Young children are an important source of CMV or Parvovirus infection due to poor hygiene. Up to 71% of children attending day care centres may carry CMV in saliva or urine [9]. Direct and indirect exposure of day care personnel by touching, diapering, washing, feeding and contact with environmental surfaces put them at a higher risk of acquiring a viral infection [9,10].…”

“…Up to 71% of children attending day care centres may carry CMV in saliva or urine [9]. Direct and indirect exposure of day care personnel by touching, diapering, washing, feeding and contact with environmental surfaces put them at a higher risk of acquiring a viral infection [9,10]. The aim of our study was to assess the occupational risk of CMV and Parvovirus B19 infection in female day care personnel in the Netherlands to determine whether or not preventive measures (for instance, serological testing followed by alternative work during pregnancy being offered to women who test CMV-seronegative) should be offered or not.…”

Cytomegalovirus seroepidemiology in an urban community of São Paulo, Brazil

“…6 It was observed that children in day-care centers from the age 5-36 months of age excreted CMV in their saliva or urine, which represents a horizontal spread of the virus and a risk to a pregnant woman. 11,12 Human CMV infection rates have been best defined in pregnant women because of interest in understanding the intrauterine transmission of the virus. Sexual transmission of CMV represents another route of virus transmission in the adult population.…”