Human cytomegalovirus infection in neonates of a public hospital from Mérida, Yucatán

Abstract

Introduction: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is recognized as the most common cause of congenital viral infection, which can occur as a result of primary infection, reinfection or infection reactivation in the pregnant woman and be the cause of delay in neuronal development and sensorineural hearing loss in the neonate. Objective: To identify HCMV infection in newborns by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cell culture. Method: Observational, cross-sectional, retrospective study with oral swab samples from 362 neonates born within a 10-month period in a public hospital of Mérida, Yucatán. RT-PCR was carried out for the detection of HCMV. Fibroblast primary cell culture was obtained from human foreskin tissue to isolate the virus. Only positive cases were followed. Results: A prevalence of HCMV infection of 0.86 % was found by RTPCR. No virus was isolated with cell culture. In the follow-up visits, sensory health and neurodevelopment were adequate. Conclusion:The prevalence of HCMV infection is similar to that of worldwide reports, and only was detected by RT-PCR. Asymptomatic infection detected 12-14 h after birth had no long-term health consequences.

Prevalencia de Torch y sus consecuencias en gestantes en América Latina

“…Realizar exámenes específicos durante el embarazo es esencial para identificar precozmente estas infecciones y permitir la implementación de intervenciones oportunas para mitigar los riesgos para la salud materno-fetal (14). La concienciación pública sobre la importancia de estos exámenes y la mejora del acceso a servicios de atención prenatal son esenciales para abordar integralmente este desafío y mejorar los resultados de salud en la región (3,4,5). Dentro de los artículos utilizados para la realización de este, unas de las principales consecuencias fueron: daño cerebral, muerte fetal, VIH, aborto espontaneo, discapacidades visuales, anomalías congénitas, entre otros.…”