Risk for the occupational infection by cytomegalovirus among health-care workers

Abstract

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) are ubiquitously distributed worldwide, causing a wide range of clinical manifestations from congenital infection to a life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals. CMV can be transmitted via human-to-human contact through body fluids; however, the risk of CMV infection among healthcare workers (HCWs) has not been fully evaluated. Aim: This study aimed to assess the risk of CMV infection among HCWs through daily medical practices. Methods: Serum samples from HCWs at Osaka University Hospital (Japan) were analysed. Initially, we compared CMV IgG seropositivity among HCWs (medical doctors, nurses, and others) in 2017, which was examined after 1 year to evaluate seroconversion rates among those with seronegative results. Then, we examined CMV seroconversion rates in HCWs who were exposed to blood and body fluids. Findings: We analysed 1153 samples of HCWs (386 medical doctors, 468 nurses, and 299 others), of which CMV seropositivity rates were not significantly different (68.9%, 70.3%, and 70.9%, respectively). Of these, 63.9% (221/346) of CMV seronegative HCWs were followed after 1 year, with CMV seroconversion rates of 3.2% (7/221). Among 72 HCWs who tested negative for CMV IgG when exposed to blood and body fluids, the CMV seroconversion rate was 2.8% (2/72). The CMV seroconversion rates between the two situations were not significantly different. Conclusion:Our study indicated that CMV infection through daily patient care seems quite rare. Further well-designed studies with a large sample size are warranted to verify our finding.

A systematic literature review of the global seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus: possible implications for treatment, screening, and vaccine development

“…Among adults, seroprevalence ranged most broadly in European countries (44.4-95.7%) [ 32 , 35 – 37 , 40 , 41 , 48 – 51 ], with the narrowest range observed for Japanese studies (67.2-70.9%; Fig. 3 ) [ 52 , 53 ]. LATAM and North America had notable differences in seroprevalence, with ranges of 59.1 to 91.3% [ 42 , 44 , 54 , 55 ] and 33.0 to 81.0% [ 33 , 45 – 47 ], respectively.…”

“…CMV IgG seroprevalence was higher among developing than developed countries included in this report. Among adults, CMV IgG seroprevalence ranged from 33.0 to 81.0% for developed countries [ 32 , 33 , 36 , 45 – 50 , 52 , 53 ] and 59.1 to 95.7% for developing countries [ 35 , 37 , 40 , 42 , 44 , 51 , 54 , 55 ]. For the elderly, seroprevalence was 64.5 to 96.2% for developed countries [ 56 , 57 ] and 93.8 to 97.7% for developing countries [ 35 , 51 ].…”

Cultural adaptation and updating of the Risk assessment and management of exposure of health care workers in the context of covid-19 questionnaire

“…Health workers, as well as undergraduates in this area, suffer the various occupational risks constantly evidenced by scientific research studies carried out in different countries ( 1 - 6 ) . In Brazil, studies on occupational risks and work accidents among health professionals have resulted in a considerable updating of the scientific production ( 7 - 13 ) .…”