Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus antibodies positivity among voluntary blood donors in the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, and its environs in Delta State - Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is widely distributed globally and it is found in different geographical and socioeconomic groups. It can be transmitted from person to person via blood transfusion or tissue/organ transplantation and if the receipt is immune-compromised, then a severe infection and mortality can occur.

Study Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) among blood donors in DELSUTH and its environs.

Materials and Methods: This is a randomized cross-sectional study of voluntary blood donors for the purpose of replenishing stock in the blood bank system of the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara-Delta State, Nigeria and also from outreach blood donation centres around DELSUTH during blood donation campaigns. Five millilitres of venous blood was taken from each voluntary blood donor and assayed for CMV IgG and IgM using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: A total of 185 voluntary donors were recruited for this study comprising of 162 males and 23 females. The age of the donors ranges from 23 to 62years. Human CMV IgG seroprevalence rate for males is 93% and for the females 91%. Therefore the overall CMV IgG seroprevalence rate is 92%. The CMV IgM seroprevalence rate is zero percent. There is no significant difference between the seroprevalence rates in respect of their gender, age, occupation, level of education and previous history of blood transfusion. (p>0.5)

Conclusion: The rate of seroprevalence of CMV is high among the studied population and this call for screening of voluntary-donor's blood before transfusion especially to those that are immunocompromised.