Sero-epidemiological survey of human cytomegalovirus-infected children in Weifang (Eastern China) between 2009 and 2012.
BACKGROUND
To understand the prevalence and characteristics of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in children in the Weifang area, and to provide information for its prevention and treatment.


METHODS
A comprehensive survey was performed from 2009 to 2012 in 7582 children from birth to 6 years of age hospitalized in the Maternity and Child Health Hospital of Weifang. ELISA HCMV serology results and survey data were analyzed by age group and socio-economic level. The infection rates were based on IgG and IgM serology.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall infection rate from IgG and IgM in the Weifang area from 2009 to 2012 was 42.5% (3496/7582), among which 34.2% were HCMV-IgG positive, suggesting past infection. Overall, the probability of active HCMV infection showed no gender difference in any age group (P >0.05). Recent infections centered on the first 6 months of life, presumably due to breastfeeding. Among the 654 children hospitalized for active HCMV infection, 379 (57.9%) were from rural areas and 275 (42.1%) from urban areas, showing that active infection in the countryside was higher than that in the city (χ2 = 32.65, p <0.01).
Department of Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Medicine and Biotechnology of Qingdao, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Xiuning
X
Sun
Zhijun
Z
Liu
Bin
B
Wang
Lihong
L
Shi
Ruiwen
R
Liang
Ling
L
Li
Dongmeng
D
Qian
Xuxia
X
Song
D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M