Cytomegalovirus infection and excretion in residents of a nursing home.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV), following primary infection, usually remains latent with the potential for reactivation and excretion in saliva and urine. The prevalence of CMV excretion has not been studied among the elderly. This study followed 54 nursing home residents (mean age 83 years and medically stable, but with a wide spectrum of medical conditions). Over a 6 month period these subjects were serially tested for viral excretion in saliva and urine and for CMV antibody. While approximately 93% of the residents tested were sero-positive, indicating previous CMV infection, there was no evidence of viral excretion in any resident during the study period. Therefore, it is unlikely that the elderly nursing home residents will prove to be a source of CMV to the health care workers or to their family members.
Stackhouse
F A
FA
Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1317.
Kumar
A
A
Maier
G A
GA
Dyke
J W
JW
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D009735:Nursing Homes; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000502:physiology