title: Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus infection in a selected population in Jamaica.
abstract: The prevalence of antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) was determined by the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a selected population of 2655 in Jamaica. The overall prevalence rate was 95%, increasing from 56.2% in children 1-4 years of age to 90% in the 15-19 years age group and by 25 years of age 97% of subjects had been exposed to CMV. The prevalence rate in children (58.4%) was significantly lower than that in blood donors (84%), sexually transmitted disease clinic attendants (95%) and antenatal women (97%) (p < 0.001). The prevalence rate in STD clinic attendants and pregnant women was also significantly higher than in blood donors (p < 0.05). The prevalence of CMV infection in the selected population, the clinical implications, routes of transmission and socioenvironmental factors are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, U.W.I., Jamaica.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prabhakar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Smikle
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ashley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007563:Jamaica / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral