Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus in blood donors in the northwest of Iran

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the causal agent of infection in immunocompromised patients andtransplant recipients, or those patients who receive blood transfusion frequently. Seroprevalence of CMV has beenreported to be highest in South America, Africa, and Asia, and lowest in Western Europe and United States. Datareferring to the prevalence of anti-CMV antibody among healthy people in Iran is scanty, but its incidence may reach100% among blood donors and recipients, likely due to condensed population and socio-economic status. METHODS: The blood specimens of 200 volunteer donors were tested through ELISA for anti-CMV immunoglobulinG (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies in our hospital. RESULTS: According to these analyses, 98.5% and 85% of the specimens were found to be positive for anti-CMV IgGand IgM antibodies, respectively. This study shows that like other regions, anti-CMV seropositivity is high in Iran andblood transfusion is an important route of CMV spread. CONCLUSIONS: Since up to 95% of blood donors in Iran are seropositive for CMV, it would seem superfluous toscreen blood donors for CMV, as few seronegative blood units would be available for transfusion. Leukoreductioncould be a more appropriate and cost-effective prevention of transmission of CMV through infected blood in Iran.