[Seroprevalence of antibodies against infectious pathogens relevant to pregnancy among healthcare workers]

Cross-sectional study to assess awareness of cytomegalovirus infection among pregnant women in Germany

BACKGROUND

Study aimed to assess awareness of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and its determinants in pregnancy.

METHODS

Cross-sectional survey was conducted in five hospital-based maternity units in Germany. Pregnant women attending the maternity departments completed interviewer/self-administered survey questionnaire. High-risk group was defined according to contact with children under five years of age (at home or at work). Quantitative analyses using multivariable logistic regression were performed.

RESULTS

One thousand two hundred thirty-three pregnant women were included. 48.5% (n = 598) of women reported any knowledge about risk of CMV infection during pregnancy. CMV infection was less known than other infections or diseases (education about toxoplasmosis 95.5% (n = 1,177), listeriosis 60.5% (n = 746). 38% (n = 468) of participants received education about CMV. CMV awareness was associated with the level of education and employment in childcare or medical care. Only 32% (n = 394) of the women made use of serological screening for CMV during pregnancy (individual health service). 40.8% (n = 503) of pregnant women were classified as high-risk group. They had significantly higher knowledge and education about CMV, and msignificantlycant more often use of the serological screening.

CONCLUSIONS

Less than half of pregnant women surveyed were aware of potential risk associated with CMV infection during pregnancy. In our study,one-third third of pregnant women made use of the serological screening for CMV. Regarding the lack of current consensus on the role of serological CMV screening for pregnant women, hygiene preventive measures are the only evidence-based recommendation for pregnant women and knowledge increase could potentially have major public health impact.

Prevalence of CMV infection among staff in a metropolitan children's hospital - occupational health screening findings

Background: Staff in children’s hospitals may run an increased risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) contact infection leading to a congenital CMV fetopathy during pregnancy. The main risk factor is close contact with inapparent carriers of CMV among infants (<3 years). We therefore examined CMV seroprevalence (SP) and possible risk factors for CMV infection among staff at a children’s hospital.

Method: In 2014, staff at a metropolitan children’s hospital were offered a CMV antibody test in the context of occupational health screening. Besides of anti-CMV immunoglobulin G (anti-CMV IgG) gender, age, profession, number of children and migration background were assessed and used as independent variables in multiple logistic regression. Women without a migration background (MIG) were considered as a separate group.

Results: The study included 219 employees. Women showed a significant higher risk than men of being CMV-positive (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.0; 95% CI 1.1–7.8). The risk among age groups of 30 and over was double that of the under-30s (aOR 2.0; 95% CI 1.0–3.9); among those aged 40-plus it was aOR 2.3 (95% CI 1.1–4.7). Staff with an MIG tested more often positive than those without an MIG (95.5% versus 45.7%). CMV SP was 47.7% among women without an MIG. In this subgroup the probability of CMV infection increased with age (p=0.08) as well.

Conclusion: In the staff group as a whole there was a significant correlation between CMV SP, country of origin and age. We found no significant differences between occupational groups; perhaps our random sample was too small. Given the low CMV SP particularly in those without MIG, women who want to have children in particular must be protected from CMV infection. Follow-up studies should be undertaken to test whether good workplace hygiene offers sufficient protection for pregnant women and could be an alternative to prohibiting certain activities.