Cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgM antibodies among HIV-infected patients at a teaching hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important pathogen in HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) patients, as it could drive accelerated disease progression leading to increased morbidity and mortality in the population. This cross-sectional study analyzed plasma samples from 93 HIV positive participants in the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to investigate the magnitude and associated factors of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Plasma samples were screened serologically for the presence of specific CMV IgM antibodies using microwell ELISA kits. Demographic and behavioural risk factors were collected by the use of a structured questionnaire. Chi-square test was used to assess the statistical significance of different demographic and behavioural risk factors to CMV acquisition. Of the 93 subjects 3(3.2%) were seropositive for CMV IgM antibody. No statistical association existed between the prevalence of CMV IgM antibodies and the socio-demographic factors studied. Higher prevalence of CMV IgM antibody was found in age group 21-40 years (3.2%), female sex (3.9%), single marital status (6.0%), tertiary education (10.0%), students (6.7%) and Christians (3.7%). The observation from this study necessitates the need for serological evaluation in all HIV patients for CMV IgM antibodies for early diagnosis and preventive strategies.