Maternal Cytomegalovirus Antibodies during Early and Late (Persistent) Phases after Primary Cytomegalovirus Infection during Pregnancy: An Observational Study

Abstract

Background:We analyzed both early and late (persistent) phases of each cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody in mothers with primary CMV infection during pregnancy and subsequent congenital CMV infection for a long period from late pregnancy to after delivery using our stored serum samples. Methods: We used stored serum samples obtained during pregnancy to after delivery from mothers with CMV immunoglobulin (Ig) G seroconversion and subsequent infant congenital CMV infection. CMV antibodies, including CMV IgG titer, IgM titer, and IgG avidity, were assessed using the Denka IgG assay, Denka IgM assay Ver.1 and Ver.2, and Enzygnost IgG assay and Denka IgG avidity assay, respectively. We analyzed the dynamics of each CMV antibody for a long period from late pregnancy to after delivery and correlations of each antibody, calculating Pearson's correlation coefficients (R 2 ). Results: We used 67 serum samples obtained from 12 included participants between 2013 and 2018. CMV IgG increased until 61 weeks and did not change significantly after. CMV IgM decreased until 52 weeks and did not change significantly after that in both assays. CMV IgG avidity increased until 64 weeks and did not change significantly after that in both assays. In CMV IgM, a strong positive correlation was found (R 2 = 0.9326) between the two different IgM assays. Serum results of the late phase (after 60 weeks) were subsumed into the area of high CMV IgG avidity and low CMV IgM titer, which probably was equivalent to the persistent IgM. Conclusions: CMV antibodies in mothers during the late phase of primary infection were in high IgG avidity and low IgM titer, which probably was equivalent to the persistent IgM.

Association between TORCH infection and lupus anticoagulant antibody in pregnant women with recurrent abortion

“…Arias et al (2008) reported that both IgM and IgG antibodies are produced within 1-2 weeks from the initial exposure to these pathogens and the appearance of the first antibody reveals that the infection is new and lasts for 6 months (11). The second antibody then appears after the concentration of the first antibody declines and indicates that the infection is chronic and remains in the blood for a year (11,12). Human cytomegalovirus which is also called human herpesvirus 5, has been long identified to cause a number of fetus abnormalities and pregnancy loss worldwide (13,(14)(15)16).…”

Transient Decrease in Incidence Rate of Maternal Primary Cytomegalovirus Infection during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan

“…Maternal CMV antibody screening is performed in Mie, Japan under a program called the Cytomegalovirus in Mother and infant-engaged Virus serology (CMieV) program [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. The program is conducted to identify mothers with primary CMV infection and subsequent cCMV infection in their infants.…”