Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus antibodies among aborted women in Ibb city-Yemen

Abstract

Abortion is one of the most common health problems in the world, its causes vary, and some of them are viral. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the causes of abortion. So, this study aims to investigate the seroprevalence of CMV antibodies among aborted women. This study was a cross-sectional study conducted in Ibb city-Yemen. Serum samples were collected between September 2021 to April 2022. The serum samples were analyzed for IgG and IgM antibodies to CMV by Electro-Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA). Overall, 150 aborted women were enrolled. Amongst these cases, 148 out of 150 (98.67%) were positive for CMV IgG antibodies. Additionally, 11 out of 150 (7.33%) of the samples were positive for CMV IgM antibodies. The CMV IgG seroprevalence was not significantly influenced by age, residence, education level, socioeconomic status and abortion time. In addition, the CMV IgM seroprevalence was significantly associated with education level, socioeconomic status and abortion time. In conclusion, the low rate of CMV IgM and a high proportion of CMV IgG for most major of abortion women in this study suggest that CMV may not be the common factor leading to abortion.