Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) epidemiology and awareness.
This commentary highlights and discusses the implications of a number of recent studies that refine epidemiologic knowledge of CMV infection and assess awareness of congenital CMV among clinicians and the public. These studies highlight that: (1) congenital CMV results in a disease burden that is substantial and severe; (2) a high proportion of United States women of reproductive age are susceptible to CMV infection; (3) the majority of congenital CMV infections in the United States result from recurrent infections among pregnant women; (4) CMV seroprevalence and seroincidence are much higher among racial/ethnic minorities and persons of lower socioeconomic status (SES); (5) household transmission of CMV appears to be an important transmission route in the United States; (6) sexual transmission of CMV appears to be an important transmission route in some population sub-groups in the United States; (7) women have limited awareness and knowledge about congenital CMV; (8) most obstetrician/gynecologists do not counsel women about prevention of congenital CMV; (9) most women view CMV prevention messages positively.
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. mcannon@cdc.gov
Michael J
MJ
Cannon
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001364:Awareness; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral